CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati's homicide total for 2017 leapt to 21 Tuesday night after shootings in Over-the-Rhine and Mount Airy.
Police said a woman was also shot and killed in Northern Kentucky Tuesday, making it a particularly deadly day in the Tri-State. Overall, two men and one woman are dead, and two other men were injured in three separate shootings in under 12 hours.
"That's what they're seeing across the country," Police Chief Eliot Isaac said. "I know many cities experience this ebb and flow of violence."
John Allender, 38
Campbell County Police found 37-year-old Cheryl Allender shot dead at about 4:30 p.m. in her home at 11699 Mary Ingles Highway in California, Kentucky. Officers charged her 38-year-old husband John Allender with murder shortly before midnight and took him to the Campbell County Detention Center.
Kendall Perkins, 34
Across the river in Cincinnati, police said they discovered 34-year-old Kendall Perkins shot to death inside his car at 19 West Elder St. at about 9:42 p.m. Tuesday.
A second victim in this Over-the-Rhine shooting had gunshot wounds in his arm and back and drove himself to University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Police did not release his name, but they said they believe the two shootings were connected.
Deshawn Jenkins, 19
Five minutes after the OTR shooting, District Five officers found two people suffering from gunshot wounds in the 5300 block of Eastknoll Court in Mount Airy. The Cincinnati Fire Department took both men to University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Deshawn Jenkins, 19, died of his injuries at the hospital, but the second man had non-life threatening injuries. His name is not being released at this time.
"Different circumstances in each one of those incidents," Isaac said. "I believe one is drug-related."
Additionally, a work crew discovered human remains on State Street under the Western Hills Viaduct in South Fairmount on Tuesday afternoon. The Hamilton County Coroner and police have not yet determined whether the case will be investigated as a homicide.
Jamar Hayes, 34
These killings come one day after 34-year-old Jamar Hayes was found shot once in the head in the West End. Police said they found Hayes next to a car on Wade Street near Linn Street at about 10:45 p.m. Monday.
Police leaders said they're using every tool and technique they have to try and prevent shootings, but things can escalate quickly anywhere.
"I believe our processes are solid, our officers are where we need to be, we have the partnerships that we should have, and again, we need to grow those efforts and continue to work," Isaac said.
Homicide unit investigations are ongoing for the Cincinnati shootings. Police ask anyone with information to call the Criminal Investigation Section at 513-352-3542 or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040 or submit a tip at P3tips.com. Callers may remain anonymous and may receive compensation for their information.
