Survivor of Avalon nightclub shooting tells his story

COLUMBUS, Ohio – More than two months after a fatal shooting at Avalon nightclub, one of the survivors is telling her story.

Two people were killed and two others were injured in the shooting. The shooter, identified as 26-year-old Jaquez Hoover, has yet to be caught by police.

Latisa Shaver, one of the shooting survivors, worked as security at the club.

“He ruined my life without taking my life,” Shaver said.

Shaver said what happened on June 14 changed her life forever. The mother of five said her night began with what could almost be described as a warning sign.

“I was getting ready and my daughter was like, 'Mommy, I don't want you to go to the club, I don't want you to work tonight,' and I said, 'Mommy will be back, I promise. I'll pick you up when I leave, I promise,'” Shaver said.

Shaver worked as a second employee at the nightclub.

That night, she said, the incident began when a man attempted to enter the club armed, which is against the rules. Hoover argued with the security guard at the front door before walking away.

“The guy went to his car and walked back. He had nothing in his hand. He walked back and when I was able to look up again, he had already cocked his gun, looked me straight in the eyes and shot me six times,” Shaver said.

The other two security guards who were shot, 27-year-old Desmond Taylor and 36-year-old Ceilin Smith, did not survive.

“Smitty and Des were wonderful,” Shaver said.

Shaver added that they were like brothers to her and always tried to protect her.

“I saw my brother Des take his last breath and then lay down. I saw Smitty just look at me and shake his head like he was sorry,” Shaver said.

Shaver said she was shot three times in the pelvis/hip, twice in the wrist and once in the chest. She never lost consciousness. While she screamed for help, she said, she was thinking about the most important thing.

“When I was shot six times, I thought, I have to make it back home to my baby. I told her I would come back home to her,” Shaver said.

While she waited for emergency services to arrive, Shaver said she finally felt a sense of peace.

“I was tired, everything seemed far away and I thought I was going to die,” Shaver said.

After two surgeries and nearly two weeks in hospital, Shaver is now dealing with the aftermath of her injuries, which include the inability to use her left hand.

“The two little girls wake up every day and tell me I'm the best mommy, and I don't feel like I should do that because I can't do anything for them. I can't cook dinner for my kids, I can't open the drawer, I can't tie my daughter's shoes,” Shaver said.

The lingering effects of the incident have left her afraid to leave her home, especially knowing that the shooter is still at large.

Shaver said she hopes sharing her story will lead someone to turn him in.

“The killer will see his family whether he comes out of prison or is in prison. My brothers will never see their family again,” Shaver said.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Shaver and her family during her recovery.

Additionally, additional GoFundMe pages have been created to support the families of Ceilin Smith and Desmond Taylor.