The Cincinnati community is grappling with the aftermath of a mass shooting in the West End area on Friday night, which tragically resulted in the death of an 11-year-old and left five others injured, some of whom are juveniles. The shooting was detected by ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, and police responded to the scene at Jones and Wade streets just before 9:30 p.m.
Three of the victims, including one with life-threatening injuries, were taken to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, while two others were taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The ages of the other victims have not been disclosed, but it was confirmed that at least two were children.
No suspect information or names of the victims have been released as of yet. A news conference with Cincinnati police, Mayor Aftab Pureval, and City Manager Sheryl Long is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.
The incident adds to a concerning trend in Cincinnati, which is on track to have its worst year on record for teen shootings, with 47 teens shot prior to this incident in 2023. The previous record was 50 teens shot in 2009. The West End neighborhood, in particular, has seen a significant amount of violence this year, with three homicides and numerous shootings, including those of two other teens and 30 adults.
Local authorities and community leaders are calling for a unified and immediate response to the escalating youth violence. The city is in a state of mourning and outrage as officials and community members search for answers and solutions to this surge in violence. The mayor has described the shooting as “a horrific tragedy” and has asked for prayers while promising to pursue justice against the perpetrators of such “sickening, heartless violence.”
