COLUMBUS, OHIO — Justice has been delivered nearly three years after a devastating shooting at a Hilltop neighborhood bar in Columbus that left two men dead and two others injured. Anthony Davis, 25, was convicted Monday, July 14, 2025, on multiple serious charges in connection with the fatal incident that rocked the community in the early hours of July 16, 2022.
According to Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Shayla Favor, Davis was found guilty on four counts of murder, one count of aggravated murder, two counts of felonious assault, and one count of inducing panic. Each count includes a three-year firearm specification, highlighting the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of the crimes.
Franklin County Judge Stephen McIntosh acquitted Davis of an additional aggravated murder charge, and one felonious assault count was dismissed prior to trial. Despite those adjustments, Davis now faces a minimum sentence of 26 years to life in prison and a maximum of life without parole. His sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2025.
The Tragic Night: What Happened at Cain’s Sports Bar
The violence unfolded at Cain’s Sports Bar on Sullivant Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. on a summer night in 2022. Officers with the Columbus Division of Police responded to reports of gunfire and arrived to find a harrowing scene: three men suffering from gunshot wounds, chaos inside the bar, and witnesses in shock.
Among the victims was 39-year-old Daylan Hawkins, who was pronounced dead at the scene. 30-year-old Denver Spencer succumbed to his injuries shortly after at Grant Medical Center. Two other patrons were also struck by gunfire but survived the attack.
Prosecutors said the violence stemmed from a fight that broke out inside the bar. Davis was seen observing the scuffle from a distance before he approached and opened fire. Notably, Spencer, one of the victims, had been walking away from the fight and was reportedly holding a pool stick at the time he was shot. Hawkins, who had not been directly involved in the altercation, was running away from the scene when he was struck in the back by a bullet.
Co-Defendant Sentenced in Connection to Shooting
A second man connected to the incident, Kacee Kenner, pleaded guilty last month to felonious assault with a three-year firearm specification and inducing panic with a one-year firearm specification. Kenner was sentenced to 10.5 to 12.5 years in prison for his role in the deadly episode.
The case against Davis was seen as a significant moment for Franklin County prosecutors, who emphasized the reckless escalation of violence and the devastating impact it had on innocent bystanders. The courtroom was reportedly filled with emotional testimony from victims’ families and community members who have been waiting nearly three years for closure.
Columbus Police Investigate Another Homicide
While the city continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Hilltop tragedy, another homicide investigation is unfolding in northwest Columbus. On Sunday afternoon, officers responded to a residence in the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive, where they found 46-year-old Rachel Prince unresponsive. Medics pronounced her dead shortly after 1:29 p.m.
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office ruled Prince’s death a homicide, prompting an urgent search for Jason Palmer, whom investigators have named a person of interest.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about Palmer’s whereabouts to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.
A City Still Searching for Peace
The conviction of Anthony Davis marks a significant step toward accountability in one of the city’s most high-profile recent murder cases, yet it also serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence affecting Columbus neighborhoods. As the community remembers the lives of Daylan Hawkins and Denver Spencer, and now seeks justice for Rachel Prince, the need for continued efforts to combat gun violence and support victims’ families remains critical.
For now, loved ones of the victims take small solace in the fact that justice is beginning to be served. But the wounds left behind by that night at Cain’s Sports Bar—and countless other tragedies like it—will take much longer to heal.
Leave a Reply