CINCINNATI -- With no leads and no suspect information in the death of 9-year-old Alexandrea Thompson, city council passed a resolution Monday to raise the reward to $10,000 in an effort to encourage people to come forward.
Three or four individuals entered the Thompson’s Mount Auburn home and shot the little girl and her 39-year-old fatheron Jan. 18, police said. Alexandrea died the next day.
Lieutenant Michael John, Investigations Bureau Commander for the Cincinnati Police Department, said he is confident someone saw the suspects the evening of the shooting.
“Because there were so many (suspects), we know that there are people out there that saw these individuals,” John said. “We know there’s information out in the community, and as we try to heal this broken family and this broken community … we ask that people have the courage and conviction to step forward to try and do what’s right for this little girl.
“This particular investigation is the priority for our homicide unit. We don’t often say that -- but we have a team of investigators working on this 24/7. We will do everything we possibly can to bring this case to a resolution, but we cannot do it alone.”
John said two people inside the home saw the suspects, but they could not identify the individuals because their faces were covered. Investigators aren’t sure if the suspects had any sort of relationship with the victims.
“It’s speculation more than anything else, and I really don't like to talk about speculation,” John said. “We’re still trying to figure that portion out.”
Council member Christopher Smitherman called on the African American community to offer any information that could help with the investigation.
“Everyone, but specifically right now the African American community, we need them to come forward and provide the information so we can catch the people who killed a 9-year-old child,” Smitherman said.
The 9-year-old's death has prompted several demonstrations against violence, and city council members seemed to share the community’s outrage and confusion.
"There are many people on that block who know this family, who love this family, I don't believe for one second that the people in this community wouldn't come forward for this little girl,” Council member Yvette Simpson said.
Last week, Mayor Cranley and Smitherman raised $1,500 to increase the reward.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
WCPO will update this story.
