CINCINNATI -- While a half-million people flocked to Cincinnati's riverfront for the annual fireworks display Sunday night, four people were shot within city limits between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.
Cincinnati police are investigating all four shootings; injuries sustained in all shootings are not considered life-threatening.
First, at about 8:40 p.m., a 22-year-old man was shot on Ernst Street in South Fairmount; the suspected gunman goes by the nickname “Murder,” according to the Cincinnati Police Department.
The victim suffered a gunshot wound to his left armpit area. His injuries are serious, but they are not life-threatening.
The suspect is a black male in his 20s. He is 6 feet tall, 170 pounds with dreadlocks and tattoos on his face. He fled the scene in a green Chevrolet Malibu.
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At about 9:40 p.m., the Cincinnati Fire Department responded to reports of a teenage boy shot on the riverfront after the Western & Southern/WEBN firework display.
The shooting occurred near Broadway and Mehring Way, near U.S. Bank Arena. Police say the 17-year-old victim and the shooter knew each other and got into an altercation prior to the shooting.
"We were there within seconds after the incident, so we feel comfortable we had officers in the right place," Police Capt. Mike Neville said. "That's something we plan for. You have to react to what you can't stop."
Emily Morton saw the shooting unfold.
"I was terrified, I was really scared,” Morton said. “I had no idea what was going to happen or if they were going to keep shooting, and the whole time I was thinking how is this even safe."
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Brandy Bundy, of Hamilton, said she heard the gunshots and saw people scatter from the scene.
“It definitely was dangerous,” Bundy said. “There are so many families and it's a family-friendly event, and for someone to do that in such close quarters with half a million people, it's pretty scary.”
Neville said the shooting was an isolated incident.
The gunman shot the victim in the shoulder; Cincinnati Fire Department medics took him to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment, and he is expected to recover.
Lt. Steve Saunders said the suspected gunman is black, about 16 years old, with red dreadlocks.
Investigators returned to the scene Monday morning to collect shell casings:
Then, police reported two people were shot around 10:30 p.m. Downtown, near West Ninth Street and Baldwin Alley.
One victim was shot in the ankle, and the other was shot in the back. Police said neither injury was life-threatening.
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The suspect shot at the pair from across the street, police said. There is no information about the suspect at this time.
If you have any information on any of Sunday night's shootings, call Crimestoppers at 513-352-3536 or text “CINTIP” and your message to CRIMES (274637). You will always remain anonymous. You can also submit a tip online here.
Web Editor Abby Anstead contributed to this report.
