Witnesses describe scene after 4 shot, including three juveniles, near park in Over-the-Rhine
Four people were taken to the hospital, including three juveniles, after a shooting near a park in Over-the-Rhine Wednesday.
Police responded to the scene near Grant Park shortly after 4:30 p.m. A heavy police presence could be seen stretching for several blocks in the area.
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said the victims include an adult male in his 20s and three juveniles, ages 10, 14 and 15. The man was taken to UC Hospital, the juveniles were taken to Children's Hospital.
Theetge said the victim's injuries are non-life-threatening.
WLWT spoke to witnesses at the scene, who described what they saw and heard.
"I saw firecrackers, followed by some loud bangs, I wasn't sure it was gunfire or some M80s, until I saw people fleeing the scene," Jeff Davis said. "When you see people running away, that's usually a sign that there's live gunfire."
WLWT spoke to a woman who was driving with her three kids in the car near McMicken Avenue when she saw a car stop and two people shooting out a window and a sunroof.
She and her kids are physically okay but traumatized.
Another witness, Stephan Pryor, said he heard what sounded like fireworks, followed by people running, also describing the large number of ambulances and police cars at the scene.
"We as a city, I don't care who you are, you should not tolerate this kind of behavior in this city, in broad daylight," Theetge said. "They are not going to get away with this."
Police are searching for a Black, 4-door Hyundai with black tinted windows. Theetge said more than one shooter in vehicle. Theetge said the shooting may have been targeted.
"This will not be tolerated. Not in Cincinnati," Theetge said.
Local activists said violence like this hurts our entire community.
"Now we've got children, that's what they are children, who haven't had a whole lot of experience with life, who are going to be traumatized the rest of their lives," Rev. Peterson Mingo said.