CINCINNATI — Kenneth Buckner is past angry at the person who killed his older brother, he said Thursday evening. He left angry behind somewhere in the 10 years since Oralen Buckner, 54, was shot to death on President Drive in Roll Hill.
“I just want to ask them why,” he said. “Ten years later today, I just want to ask them why.”
It’s been a long decade since June 13, 2009. According to Kenneth, Oralen fell asleep on the bus that night. By the time he got off, he had to walk home.
He didn’t make it. The shooting instead sent him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he died. No one has ever been charged with his murder.
Kenneth and Oralen’s twin sister, Oranett, described him Thursday as a caring brother, father and grandfather.
“He would have given you the shirt off his back,” Kenneth said. “Without him, I probably would have been locked up or killed myself.”
His loss and the lack of closure in the ensuing 10 years have kept the wound fresh. Kenneth and Oranett hope that, even after so much time, someone might remember something about the crime that could lead to his killer’s arrest.
They encouraged attendees at Thursday’s vigil to call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040 if they had useful information.
“If you know anything, just — you don’t even have to tell them who you are,” Kenneth said. “Just point them in the right direction.”
