One child dead after drive-by shooter fires 22 rounds into crowd of children
One child was killed and five more people injured after a drive-by shooter opened fire into a crowd of children in Cincinnati.
The deadly shooting took place on Friday night in the city’s West End neighborhood, a vibrant community near a popular local park and an elementary school.
Just before 9.30pm on Friday night, a driver pulled up to a group of children congregating in the neighborhood.
‘An occupant of a dark sedan fired 22 rounds in quick succession,’ Cincinnati Police Chief Terri Theetge said.
Dominic Davis, 11, was identified as the child shot and killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another five people were injured, inlcuding four minors ages 12, 13, and two age 15. A 53-year-old woman was also injured in the gunfire.
Three of the victims were transported to Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Another two were transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
One of the victims remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Two of the victims, including Davis, attended the nearby Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy. The other three minors attended Cincinnati public schools.
Dominic’s father, Isaac Davis, spoke to the press on Sunday evening, imploring the public to come forward with information about the killer.
‘When will this stop?’ the grieving father asked. ‘How many people have to bury their kids? Their babies, their loved ones?
Chief Theetge said the city’s Homicide Unit has been working ‘endlessly’ to identify the shooter. ‘They will not stop until they solve this case. I know how they are, and I admire their dedication,’ she said.
Theetge also addressed the killer directly:’Turn yourself in. Call a loved one, have them turn you in. Because if you don’t, we will find you. And we will bring you to justice.’
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval called the shooting ‘sickening and unimaginable.’
‘The overwhelming message that we have heard is one of unimaginable trauma,’ Pureval said, noting that many residents of the West End were afraid to leave their homes.
‘The parents, and the kids themselves we talked to, don’t feel safe, and I frankly can’t blame them.’
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