Cincinnati Mourns Tragic Drive-by Shooting that Killed 11-Year-Old Boy
CINCINNATI — The city of Cincinnati is in shock following a heartbreaking drive-by shooting that targeted a crowd of children, resulting in the death of an 11-year-old boy and leaving four other children and an adult injured. The tragic incident took place near an intersection on Friday night when an occupant of a dark sedan fired a staggering 22 rounds within seconds, as recounted by Police Chief Terri Theetge during a press briefing on Sunday.
The victims, boys aged 11, 12, 13, and 15, along with a 15-year-old girl and a 53-year-old woman, were all in close proximity to each other when the shots were fired. One of the victims remains in stable condition at the hospital, while the rest have been discharged after receiving medical treatment.
The young boy who lost his life attended Cincinnati Preparatory Academy, while the other three injured children were enrolled in Cincinnati public schools. The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval condemning the shooting as “sickening and unimaginable.” According to Mayor Pureval, the children were simply playing outside when the shots rang out. The scene of the crime is located just a short distance from a daycare center, a girls’ dance studio, and a playground.
Mayor Pureval expressed his disbelief at the gravity of the incident, stating, “Twenty-two rounds were fired. Twenty-two rounds in a moment — into a crowd of kids. No time to respond. No time to react.”
As of late Sunday, authorities have not released any information regarding a suspect or whether the shooting was targeted. The incident is the latest in the wave of gun violence plaguing the nation. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been a staggering 596 mass shootings in the U.S. this year alone. The archive also reveals that over 1,200 teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 have been killed, with an additional 3,400 injured in 2023. Moreover, more than 250 children aged 11 or younger have lost their lives, and nearly 570 others have been harmed.
City Manager Sheryl Long, speaking at a press conference on Sunday, expressed her deep sorrow and anger over the incident. Fighting back tears, Long stated, “This is not an act of God; this is not a natural disaster. The devastation, the harm, and the loss of life are a shock to us all, but they stem from actions of real people and they are enabled by access to guns.” She called for an end to the normalization of such violence in society.
In response to the horrific shooting, Cincinnati police have announced plans to increase the presence of both uniformed and non-uniformed officers in the West End area where the incident occurred. Surveillance cameras will also be used to enhance security measures. Additionally, a team of social workers will be deployed to offer support and assistance to the residents of the West End. The city has also arranged for personnel to be present at Hays-Porter Elementary, Taft High School, and Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy on Monday to address any concerns.
The West End neighborhood has been experiencing a disproportionately high level of gun violence, with three homicides reported so far in 2023, in addition to several other shootings. However, the city’s efforts to combat this issue, including the closure of a liquor store following an investigation into a concentrated area of crime, have shown some positive results, according to Long.
Mayor Pureval emphasized the need to address the root causes of the rising gun violence involving teenagers. He cited easy access to firearms and inadequate conflict resolution skills as contributing factors. Moreover, he revealed that 40% of illegal weapons found on Cincinnati’s streets are stolen from cars. The mayor and city officials have called on gun owners to secure their firearms to prevent them from being used in criminal activities.
Heartbroken and desperate for answers, the father of the slain 11-year-old boy, Issac Davis, pleaded for anyone with information about his son’s death to come forward. “When will this stop? Will this ever stop?” Davis asked during an emotional interview. “How many people have to bury their kids, their babies, their loved ones?”
The investigation into the drive-by shooting is ongoing, and the Cincinnati Police Department’s homicide unit has urged anyone with information to contact investigators at 513-352-3542.
*Contributing: Charles Ventura, USA TODAY; The Associated Press*