Share This Article
Article Summary
A 20-year-old Cincinnati woman will not face homicide charges in the fatal shooting of Kameiro Blair-Martin inside Memories Lounge downtown. Authorities said Deryka Minor had been the victim of a serious assault before the shooting. However, she still faces a felony concealed weapon charge, with her case scheduled for grand jury review on November 13.
A Cincinnati woman will not face homicide charges in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Kameiro Blair-Martin inside a downtown nightclub.
The Memories Lounge shooting occurred during a violent altercation at the nightclub on East Seventh Street in downtown Cincinnati.
Authorities said Deryka Minor, 20, had been the victim of a serious physical assault before the shooting.
Authorities clear woman in fatal shooting
During Minor’s arraignment on Wednesday, November 4, a detective testified that she had been subjected to a “pretty vicious assault” before the shooting.
Read: Cincinnati shootings over Halloween weekend leave one dead, several injured
Authorities subsequently cleared Minor in the homicide investigation, determining that she would not face charges for Blair-Martin’s death.
Minor’s attorney, Clyde Bennett II, also argued that his client acted in self-defense. He reportedly pointed to surveillance footage as supporting her account of the incident.
However, the nightclub’s general manager, Ethan Risenfeld, offered a different account of the events leading up to the shooting.
Risenfeld said available footage and information appeared to show that Minor had been asked to leave the establishment before a physical altercation occurred.
The incident resulted in Blair-Martin’s death, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Minor still faces concealed weapon charge
Although authorities cleared Minor of homicide charges, she still faces a separate felony charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
Investigators said she brought a firearm into Memories Lounge before the deadly confrontation.
According to reports, Minor’s bond was set at $5,000. She subsequently posted bond and was released from the Hamilton County Justice Center.
Her case is scheduled to go before a grand jury on November 13, 2026.
The concealed weapon charge remains separate from the homicide investigation, meaning Minor could still face criminal proceedings related to bringing the firearm into the nightclub.
Victim was working at Memories Lounge
Blair-Martin was working at Memories Lounge when the shooting occurred, according to his family.
Relatives said the 20-year-old was attempting to remove the shooter from the establishment before he was fatally shot.
Local reports say that his family described him as a cheerful young man who enjoyed music and making people laugh. He was also a graduate of Dohn High School.
Fatal shooting renews attention on nightclub safety proposal
The fatal shooting could also renew discussions surrounding Cincinnati’s proposed chronic nuisance ordinance, which would allow the city to penalize businesses experiencing repeated incidents of violence and drug-related activity.
The proposal, which covers nightclubs, bars, restaurants and other establishments, faced delays in October after business owners raised concerns about how the rules would be enforced.
The shooting has added another dimension to the debate over nightclub security and accountability in Cincinnati.
FAQs
Are there calls for increased security at Cincinnati nightclubs following the shooting?
Yes. The incident prompted renewed discussions about nightclub security and accountability. Some community members and city officials have called for stronger measures to prevent violence at nightlife establishments.
What charges does Deryka Minor still face?
Minor faces a felony charge of carrying a concealed weapon. The charge is separate from the homicide investigation.
Why is Deryka Minor facing a weapons charge instead of a murder charge?
Authorities indicated that the shooting was justified as self-defense after determining that Minor had been violently assaulted. However, she still faces a separate weapons charge for allegedly carrying a firearm inside the establishment.
