Louisville rap artist Jack Harlow is once again making headlines, this time for all the wrong reasons.
Accusations of murder have been directed at his sound engineer and DJ Ronnie O’Bannon for an incident that occurred at Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge on May 1.
The victim, a 37-year-old bartender named Kasmira Nash, was allegedly allowed entry to the restaurant without following the standard security procedures.
Yet another unfortunate occurrence involving firearms in an unexpected setting, these senseless tragedies continue to plague our communities.
On the eve of the 2021 Kentucky Derby, Danny Nash and Alex O’Bannon were at a nightclub in Louisville.
During this time, Nash “violently assaulted” O’Bannon on two occasions, as witnessed by multiple bystanders and captured on camera.
O’Bannon is a DJ for rapper Jack Harlow, who was performing at the same club that evening, mere feet away from where the altercation took place.
The incident began with a brief verbal exchange between a man and a woman, which swiftly escalated into violence when gunfire erupted, causing staff and customers to flee the building.
This shocking incident serves as yet another example of the unexpected nature of armed conflict in our society.
Nash seized a large bottle of liquor, grabbed the back of O’Bannon’s shirt, and struck him in the head with the bottle twice.
She then made her way onto the stage, moving closer to O’Bannon, and “commenced physically assaulting (him) once more from the stage, eliciting protest from the crowd.”
Authorities have not revealed any details about the circumstances that led to the shooting, but sources have informed WHAS 11 that Nash confronted O’Bannon regarding his alleged involvement in a 2020 shooting that resulted in the death of her friend Torre Cortez Foree.
A defense attorney for the DJ accused of killing a nightclub waitress in Louisville last May has implored a judge to refrain from prosecuting his client, contending that Ronnie O’Bannon shot the woman in self-defense.
According to the defense, Nash purportedly struck O’Bannon in the head with a champagne bottle. O’Bannon refuted the accusations of murder and evidence tampering, asserting self-defense in the incident.
The DJ who fatally shot the Louisville server acted in self-defense and should not face prosecution.
As per a plea submitted by O’Bannon’s defense attorney Steve Romines, a bartender assaulted the defendant, who had a court appearance scheduled.
The Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control concluded after an investigation that Nash, who was not on duty that night, believed O’Bannon murdered her comrade at the Shively club.
Harlow stated that O’Bannon was not working for him, was unaware that O’Bannon was armed, and had no involvement in the altercation or the shooting.
Harlow expressed his “heart is broken for Nash and everyone else affected by this tragic death” in a post on his Instagram page.
Eye Witness Account
The security checks aim to ensure the safety of club patrons by preventing individuals with malicious intentions from gaining access.
However, as per a report by a witness to the shooting, Harlow and O’Bannon managed to enter without undergoing these security checks.
This revelation has been emphasized in three separate instances to date, and if their compensation claim is successful, it could result in holding those responsible for such severe negligence of safety protocols accountable.
The outcome of this accusation against Harlow and O’Bannon could set a precedent for increased transparency and strict enforcement in clubs nationwide.
On the night of May 1, Brittany Black was at a club when a friend of hers, Nash, got into a confrontation with another individual.
According to Black, Nash “reached out” and before anyone could react, countless innocent bystanders witnessed the assailant draw a firearm and take aim.
The gun discharged, and Nash’s friend was shot by the other individual.
This despicable act played out in front of everyone in a horrifying instant that forever altered their lives.
While the details are still under investigation, what is certain is that a woman was shot in broad daylight by a man and his firearm in front of hundreds of individuals who will never be able to forget what they witnessed.
O’Bannon Accused of Homicide
Ronnie Tyshon O’Bannon, also known as Ronnie Lucciano, allegedly faces charges of murder and evidence tampering related to a shooting at Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge on May 1 while Harlow was enjoying Kentucky Derby weekend.
Ronnie O’Bannon is accused of killing bartender Kasmira Nash at Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge during Derby weekend in 2021.
O’Bannon’s preliminary hearing has been postponed to December, and he is currently under house arrest.
More time was requested to review the extensive 297-page discovery, which included images, recordings, and 911 calls from the night of Nash’s death, as stated by the commonwealth and Steve Romines, O’Bannon’s lawyer, during the court hearing.
Victims’ Families
The families of both victims are still awaiting closure. Christina Malone reported that, last she checked, the ballistics had not yet been processed.
She indicated that the authorities informed her that the delay was unrelated to the fact that O’Bannon is the DJ for Harlow, the renowned Louisville rapper who was standing alongside O’Bannon at the time of the shooting.
Kasmira Nash, 37, was shot while working as a bartender at Vibes and lost her life, with part of the incident captured on camera.
Reportedly, Nash was found deceased at the venue along with another man who sustained minor injuries.
