Police investigate alleged hate crime in Old North

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus police are investigating after an LGBTQ+ bar in the Old North neighborhood reported being the victim of a hate crime, putting police on high alert.

Cora Helton, the owner of the Bossy Grrls Pin Up Joint, said the alleged incident occurred on Wednesday. She claims a man came into the bar, yelled homophobic slurs, smashed the glass door and attacked a bartender.

Helton said the night of the alleged incident, they were hosting a drag and burlesque show. Helton said in the middle of the show, the man came on stage and started making hateful comments.

“He then started hurling homophobic slurs and saying other disturbing things and was asked to leave but refused to leave. At that point it was clear he was a danger,” Helton said.

She said her staff tried to de-escalate the situation, but it only got worse. She said that’s when one of her bartenders escorted the man outside.

Helton claims the man then punched the bartender, a transgender woman. Helton said the bartender had to have her lip stitched, but she fought back.

She said afterward, the man walked away and leaned against the wall down the street. Helton said they thought it was over, but he later returned to the bar.

“Then, about 15 or 20 minutes later, he comes back and one of the bartenders is like, ‘Okay, we’ll just close the door and lock it so he can’t come in,'” Helton said. “He tried to rip the door out of her hands, but he couldn’t. She locked the door and he headbutted her and kicked it until the glass broke. Then he tried to get in while yelling homophobic slurs.”

She said afterward, another of her bartenders decided to reprimand the man to make him stop. Helton said she had thought something like that could happen at the bar, but never really believed it would happen.

“It’s obviously scary, but our community expects it. As sad as it is, one reason things weren’t worse on Wednesday than they already were is because we have a plan in place in the event of a shooting and our staff knows that, our producers know that, all of our cast members know that,” Helton said.

Helton said she was very thankful they had a contingency plan in place, adding that it shows why they have one. Helton said the bar is still open and they won’t let hate shut them down.

She said their focus now is on caring for the victims of the incident. They are raising funds for the injured bartender so she can have time to recover.

“Maybe he didn’t choose our venue because we’re a queer space. Maybe he would have gone to any other venue and acted intolerantly, but he was here and he said these things to us. That’s why it’s really important to me that it’s not just assault, it’s a hate crime,” Helton said.

Helton said she hopes this incident draws attention to the needs in the Old North neighborhood. She said it was one of the first entertainment districts in Columbus and now it is a very underserved area.

“It’s between two major communities, OSU and Clintonville, and it’s severely underserved by the city of Columbus. Our homeless population is especially underserved. They’re not getting the services that they desperately need. The citizens that live in this area aren’t getting the services that they desperately need,” Helton said. “This area isn’t as cared for and taken care of as other parts of town, and I really wish Columbus would take this area more seriously.”

Helton said she is grateful for the support of the LGBTQ+ community in Columbus. Columbus police are investigating this incident. No arrests have been made at this time.