A man wanted for shooting a security guard three times at a Covington bar in May was arrested at a Sharonville hotel on July 24 after a multi-agency tactical operation, according to the Covington Police Department.

Franklin Smith, 44, of Cincinnati, was taken into custody without incident after the Hamilton County Regional SWAT Team executed a tactical entry into his hotel room. Smith had been hiding at the hotel, according to Covington police, more than two months after the May 17 shooting at Hat Trick's Sports Bar on Madison Avenue in Covington, Kentucky.

Covington Detective Galvin Adkisson coordinated the operation, which involved the Sharonville Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Regional Narcotics Unit, the ATF Task Force, and the Hamilton County Regional SWAT Team, according to Local 12/WKRC.

Smith was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center on charges of first-degree assault and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, according to Local 12 and Fox19. He is awaiting extradition to Kenton County, Kentucky, where the shooting occurred.

The May 17 shooting

The shooting happened around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, when Smith allegedly shot security guard James Lee three times outside Hat Trick's Sports Bar. According to the bar's owner and surveillance video reviewed by police, the dispute started when a woman with Smith tried to leave the bar carrying a drink. Lee, who had worked security at the bar for nine years, stepped in to take the drink. Smith then opened fire, according to Fox19.

Lee, a Delhi Township resident and father who worked part-time as a security guard, was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition. One bullet struck him in the head.

Covington police identified Smith as a suspect after reviewing surveillance footage and began their search on May 20, according to Fox19.

Victim's condition

In early June, Lee's wife Megan White told WLWT outside UC Medical Center that his injuries were life-altering. He had undergone multiple surgeries, still needed a feeding tube, and had lost his sight.

"It's been a struggle. He does not quite have his memory, and as of right now, he doesn't have his sight, and we don't know if his sight is going to return," White said in the early June interview.

Lee's current condition has not been publicly updated.

What's next

Covington police credited the Sharonville Police Department and the other participating agencies, along with Crime Stoppers and community members, for their roles in the investigation. The specific Sharonville hotel where Smith was found has not been identified by any agency.

Smith's extradition to Kenton County is pending. No court date has been announced.