HAMILTON, Ohio — Two people are dead and two others are injured after a shooting in Hamilton Tuesday night.
Hamilton Police Lt. Jon Richardson said officers responded to the 700 block of S. 2nd Street shortly after 7 p.m. for shots fired. When they arrived, they found three people with gunshot wounds.
Juan Fredrick Clemmons has lived in Hamilton for decades. He was sleeping when he heard the sound of multiple gunshots.
"I was laying down asleep in my house and I just heard bam, bam, bam, bam, bam," he said.
Clemmons walked outside and saw two people lying on the front steps.
"I knew one very well and they say a child got grazed in the process," Clemmons said. "They was young, bright."
The Butler County Coroner's Office said 22-year-old Dariel Perez was pronounced dead at the scene. Jonathan Terrell Jones was transported to Kettering Health Hamilton Hospital were he was pronounced dead, according to the coroner's office. The third gunshot victim was also transported to the hospital.
Lt. Patrick Erb said a 3-year-old was also wounded by bullet fragments during the shooting.
"A 3-year-old — like just because of the recklessness and senselessness of the violence, we now have a 3-year-old that’s injured in the midst of this. There’s got to be some change, change needed to happen years ago, but it’s like ok that should be a wake up call," said Shaquila Mathews, the founder of Hamilton Young People Empowered (H.Y.P.E).
Mathews, known as Pastor Shaq to many in her community is an anti-violence advocate and pastor. She lost her brother to gun violence six years ago.
When she heard about the quadruple shooting she had a lot of questions.
"So many questions went through my mind like what happened what was the situation, that led to someone taking someone’s life," she said. "I can’t help but to wonder what got them to that point to put a gun in their hand and have enough anger, rage, or whatever it is to pulling that trigger and firing that weapon."
Pastor Shaq hopes H.Y.P.E gives teens hope that they can have a bright future. She noted to stop the violence, everyone has to get on board.
"This is not a neighborhood problem. This is a Hamilton issue, this is a city issue," Mathews said. "We all have to come together collaboratively to work together."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hamilton Police Department's Investigations Division at 513-868-5811 ext. 2002.
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