Attorney: Man charged in shooting outside Lachey's Bar 'didn't do it'

The attorney for a man charged in the shooting last month outside Lachey's Bar that left a bar employee severely injured said police have the wrong man.

Lavoris Hightower, 36, surrendered to police Thursday night and was arraigned Friday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on charges including attempted murder and felonious assault.

Hightower's attorney, Clyde Bennett II, told reporters late Thursday that based on his own investigation as well as conversations with Hightower, "he didn't do it."

“So until or unless you give me evidence to the contrary," Bennett added, "I’m of the opinion he didn’t do it.”

Bennett would not discuss where his client said he was at the time of the shooting.

He also called Hightower a scapegoat, saying in a Facebook post Friday that "community peace of mind and social security should not be exchanged or traded for freedom and justice."

On Friday, a magistrate set Hightower's bond at $1 million. If convicted of all charges, he faces more than 25 years in prison.

Ellie Richardson, a bar manager at Lachey's Bar, was shot in the face outside the Over-the-Rhine business early Thanksgiving morning.

Richardson, 27, left the bar with co-workers and a friend at about 3:20 a.m. and was walking to her car when she was almost struck by a van Hightower was driving, prosecutors say.

Richardson approached the van, an argument ensued, and prosecutors say Hightower fired one shot, striking her in the face.

Police reviewed area surveillance video and witness information in their investigation, officials said.

Richardson had been undergoing treatment at University of Cincinnati Hospital Medical Center, but Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said she was released Thursday.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, supporters said: "The swelling has subsided drastically, and the bruising around her eyes is nearly gone. The surgeons are confident she is progressing well enough to continue her recovery from home for the next few days."

Deters said in a news release: "Cincinnati has worked very hard to improve the area where the shooting occurred. This type of heartless act has the potential of ruining years of progress. He needs to go to jail for a long time.”

Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey and their pop group 98 Degrees are hosting a Dec. 15 benefit concert for Richardson at the Aronoff Center.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed to this report.