Man killed in shooting outside Avalon nightclub remembered as hero by his children

COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of the two security guards gunned down outside a Columbus nightclub is being remembered as a hero by those who loved him most – his children. Ceilin Smith, 36, was a loving father of eight children who cannot believe his sudden death.

A death they say should never have happened.

“I can’t believe it’s true that my father died,” said Christian McDowell.

It is a grim reality that remains incomprehensible to Smith’s children.

“My dad just wanted to be better, and now he’s not even here to try to be better for his kids,” Jalyne Smith explained.

However, his life ended early Friday morning outside the Avalon nightclub in downtown Columbus, just hours after 17-year-old Jalyne was said to have had the last conversation with him.

“He just asked me if we would come over on Sunday for Father’s Day, and I told him, ‘Yes, we will,'” Jalyne said.

That visit never happened. An exclusive video obtained by 10TV shows the deadly ambush that kidnapped her father. Police say 26-year-old Jaquez Hoover ran to the club’s entrance and opened fire, killing Smith and 27-year-old Desmond Taylor. Two other people were also injured.

Christian McDowell, 14, says her father was simply doing the job he loved – security.

“His life should not have ended like this,” McDowell said.

Having eight children in total, Smith worked hard to care for and protect them all.

“He was just there for whatever I needed. I didn’t have to worry about anything. He was there,” McDowell explained.

There were important milestones there, such as Jalyne’s recent graduation from Independence High School, which her father also attended and was named the school’s Most Valuable Basketball Team in the 2004-2005 season.

Jalyn wants her father to be remembered as a hero.

“He came to save the day, whether you were right or wrong,” Smith said.

They now cherish the memories of their father and enjoy his cheerful laughter and rely on their faith to get through the coming days – without him.

“He remembered that he knew and loved God. I was just strong for him and stood up for him,” Smith said.

This also includes forgiving the man who robbed them of their hero.

“I certainly forgive you because you were not of sound mind,” McDowell said.

Police are still searching for Hoover. Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).

The family is asking for help with funeral expenses. You can donate to the family’s GoFundMe campaign here.

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