Update: Video: Shots Fired Inside and Outside of Club

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Bond is denied for a man charged with murder in a shooting that literally rang in the new year at a Columbus night club.

The suspect was in Columbus Municipal Court today (Friday) for a hearing before Municipal Judge Marc Amos.

As patrons of Club Hiediho rang in the New Year, gun fire erupted and police were called to this 22nd Street South location at about 12:20 Thursday morning. Officers found 32-year-old Timothy Barker wounded in the parking lot. And 30-year-old Billy Kennedy, a DJ at the club, was taken into custody.

“Billy Kennedy and Mr.Barker got into a physical altercation inside the club. Spilled outside briefly,” said Columbus Police Capt. Brent Swan.

Investigators believe either Kennedy, who was already out on bond for an aggravated assault charge in 2013, or Barker fired one shot outside the club. The argument continued as the two men then came back inside where about 40 party goers were.

“Several shots were fired inside the club. And we believe that Mr. Barker was shot by Mr. Kennedy,” Swan said.

Kennedy was arraigned and formally charged with murder during a brief hearing Friday in Columbus Municipal Court. Judge Marc Amos said Kennedy’s prior charge of shooting into a vehicle was reason enough to deny bond. Kennedy faces a March 19 preliminary hearing. Investigators wouldn’t discuss a motive or the caliber of handguns involved.

“We’ve got a lot of witnesses to interview. We took a lot of statements that night on the scene,” Swan noted.

The nightclub, located on 22nd Street South between Main and College streets, has been the scene of several violent incidents in recent months. Some city council members have suggested it may be time for the city to take some kind of action against club management. Those discussions could come up next week.

ORIGINAL STORY

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Bond is denied for a 30-year-old Columbus man accused of murder in a night club shooting early New Year’s morning.

In denying bond, Columbus Municipal Judge Marc Amos said Billy Kennedy posed a threat to society and should remain in jail. Amos cited a November 2013 aggravated assault charge against Kennedy as one of his reasons.

Columbus Police say Kennedy and 32-year-old Timothy Barker got in an fight inside Club Heidi-Ho on 22nd Street South at about 12:20 a.m. Thursday. Shots rang out with “numerous” customers inside club and Barker was struck at least once.

When police arrived, he was found lying in the parking lot. He died later at Baptist Golden Triangle Hospital.

Kennedy, who had been hired as the club’s DJ for the night, was taken into custody.

Kennedy was on bond for a previous aggravated assault charge from November 2013 where he is alleged to have fired a weapon  into an occupied vehicle.