A father and son are facing charges nearly three weeks after a fight outside a North College Hill restaurant ended with one man dead and another wounded. Aaron Peavy, 44, and his son Brian Peavy, 22, were arrested Friday evening in connection with the fatal shooting of 45-year-old Donald Jamar Hales outside Fricker's Bar and Grill.
Officers were called to Fricker's at 1580 Goodman Avenue around 5 p.m. on Sept. 27 after a report that two people had been shot, according to cincinnati.com. First responders found one person with multiple gunshot wounds and another with a gunshot wound to the arm, and both were rushed to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment. Hales died at the hospital later that night, while the second victim was treated for the arm wound.
What Prosecutors Say Happened
According to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, as reported by WLWT, the confrontation began when Aaron Peavy argued with Hales inside the restaurant. Prosecutors allege Aaron Peavy pulled a gun on Hales and forced him outside at gunpoint, then struck him with the firearm, causing him to bleed. Two restaurant employees attempted to separate the two men as the altercation escalated, per the outlet's account.
During the struggle, prosecutors say Aaron Peavy lost possession of his firearm, and Hales drew his own gun. Brian Peavy then allegedly picked up his father's weapon and pointed it at Hales. As Aaron Peavy and Hales wrestled for control of Hales' gun, it accidentally discharged during the fight, according to the prosecution's account relayed by the station. Brian Peavy then fired six rounds at Hales, fatally striking him, prosecutors allege.
Charges Filed Against Father and Son
Aaron Peavy faces 12 charges related to the incident, while Brian Peavy faces five, including murder, felonious assault and abduction, according to the same report. Separately, fox19.com reported that Aaron Peavy is specifically facing a charge of illegal possession of a firearm in a liquor establishment. North College Hill police, who responded to the initial shooting, are investigating the case.
A Community That Thought Violence Was Easing
The shooting lands at an uneasy moment for North College Hill. Residents and community leaders had told wcpo.com that the city had seen less violent crime in recent weeks, pointing to community organizing efforts. That reporting followed a community peace walk held after 18-year-old Brea'L Wade was shot and killed in front of her home on June 22, an attack that also left another person injured.
No additional details about the surviving victim's identity or condition have been released. The case remains under investigation as it moves through the Hamilton County court system.
