COLERAIN TWP., Ohio – How did a gun from the "homeowner" where nine people were shot Saturday wind up in the front yard?
Did someone from the rented home pursue the fleeing shooters? Did one of the shooters drop it?
Police Chief Mark Denney told WCPO the gun was not loaded and there was no shootout. He said he thought the renter owns the gun.
WCPO asked Denney to elaborate after an abbreviated initial Incident Report released by Colerain police Wednesday raised more questions about the case.
The report, filed by Colerain patrol officer Kurt Magoteaux, says a pistol belonging to "the homeowner" was found in the front yard. The home is rented out by VineBrook Homes of Huber Heights, Ohio, according to the Hamilton County Auditor’s website. Who rented the house is unknown. No one at VineBrook answered the phone when WCPO called Wednesday afternoon.
The report says multiple people were “outside screaming for help” when Magoteaux arrived at the house at 9917 Capstan Drive. Magoteaux said he found the only fatal victim sitting on a couch in the living room. She was later identified as Autum Garrett, 22, of Huntington, Indiana. The eight wounded were also in the living room, either lying on the floor or on the couch, the report says. Garrett's husband and two children were among them.
Otherwise, there was no new information released with the report per orders from Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters.
“Upon orders of the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office this is all that will be released at this time,” an email with the report said.
So far, police have not named suspects or a motive.
The shooting happened at 11:21 p.m. during a “gender reveal party.” Witnesses said two shooters burst through the door and opened fire. Three children – ages 8, 6, 2 – and five adults were wounded. A woman said she lost her unborn child, but police haven't confirmed that.
Witnesses provided "multiple descriptions" of the shooters, according to Magoteaux’s report.
The report lists nine Colerain officers who responded to the scene, including Denney.
A $10,000 reward has been offered in the case. Police ask anyone with information about the shootings to call (513) 321-COPS or Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040.
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