Two gunmen firing at each other inside a crowded nightclub this weekend led to nine people being wounded, including one of the suspected shooters, according to court documents.
One of the shooters had “a longstanding grudge” against the other, prosecutors said.
Franeek Cobb, 24, and Derrick Long, 29, have both been charged in the March 1 shooting at Riverfront Live. They face state and federal charges.
Cobb and Long were the only two who fired gunshots inside the club, according to court documents. Investigators reviewed surveillance video from the club and identified only two shooters.
A federal complaint filed March 3 says that Cobb saw Long in his immediate vicinity, pulled out a gun and began firing at Long, causing patrons to seek cover. Long, who was wounded, fell to the ground, according to the complaint, then began “firing multiple gunshots in the direction of Cobb.”
Both men then fled from the club. As Cobb fled, he “collided with the bar” and the Taurus 9mm pistol slipped out of his hand, according to the complaint.
Video showed Long, in a crowd of people, running with a gun in his hand, the complaint says. Evidence at the scene indicated that Long fired a .45 caliber handgun.
During Cobb’s arraignment March 3 on a state felonious assault charge, Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Connor Wood said Cobb had a “longstanding grudge” with the person he shot. Long was not arraigned on March 3.
Cobb admitted to shooting a handgun inside of the club, intending to harm one victim, according to an arrest report.
Cobb and Long also have each been charged federally with illegally possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon and face up to 15 years in prison.
Six men, including Long, and three women were struck in the crossfire during the shooting.
As of Monday afternoon, six victims had been treated and released from UC Medical Center, two remained hospitalized there in stable condition and a ninth person at Good Samaritan Hospital had been treated and released.
Cincinnati police victim’s advocate Karen Rumsey said about 20 victims have reached out to the department as of Tuesday afternoon, most with injuries because they were trampled during the shooting.
Cobb’s attorney Anna Mallory said Cobb acted in self-defense during the shooting. She said he has post-traumatic stress disorder from previously being shot.
Cobb is only charged with one count of felonious assault. Prosecutors asked for a high bond given the nature of the case.
Hamilton County Municipal Judge Bernard Mundy set bond at $50,000 with electronic monitoring, citing the single charge of felonious assault. But records show another law enforcement agency has placed a “holder” on Cobb, meaning he can’t be released.
Both suspects cannot possess guns, court records show
Both Cobb and Long have previous felony convictions that prohibit them from possessing guns, according to court records.
Cobb pleaded guilty to felony-level cocaine trafficking in 2020. Two years later, he pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a gun. In February 2025, Cobb pleaded guilty to carrying concealed weapons and was sentenced to a year in prison. He was released in December.
Long has been convicted of carrying concealed weapons and being a felon in possession of a gun. according to court records. In 2023, after pleaded guilty to arson and receiving stolen property, he was sentenced to a year in prison.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘Grudge’ led to Cincinnati mass shooting, officials say. 2 now face federal charges
Reporting by David Ferrara, Cameron Knight and Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
