Northern Kentucky business owner charged in double shooting that led to crash

Michael Griffith, owner of Southern Smoke BBQ in Newport was arrested and charged Sunday with felonious assault and domestic violence near Northgate Mall. He's being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center. 

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A Northern Kentucky man has been charged after a shooting just south of Northgate mall late Saturday night that caused a Camaro to run off the road and hit a pole. The driver and passenger were taken to a nearby hospital and are in serious condition. 

An initial call to police described shots being fired between two vehicles in the 9400 block of Colerain Avenue.

According to court documents, Michael Griffith fired multiple rounds into a vehicle and chased the victims in his vehicle as they attempted to escape. Two people were struck, including one of them ten times, police say.

As the driver tried to flee, Griffith's vehicle struck the victim’s vehicle from behind and pushed them into a utility pole. 

He was admitted to the Hamilton County Justice Center at 3:35 a.m. on February 7. He is being held on $210,000 bond and being accused of two counts of felonious assault and one count of domestic violence, as one of the victims is related to Griffith. 

Griffith is the owner of Southern Smoke BBQ, currently located 2116 Monmouth Street in Newport, Kentucky. Southern Smoke BBQ, which also has a food truck and catering business, had previously leased space for its brick and mortar business in Alexandria and Fort Thomas. 

Michael Griffith. Hamilton County Justice Center.