Police are investigating after at least 18 were shot, killing four, in four separate incidents early Sunday in Cincinnati, according to multiple news outlets.
In Over-the-Rhine, 10 were shot and two are dead near East McMicken and Lang Street, WCPO reported.
In Avondale, four were shot, with one fatality, on Chalfonte Place, WLWT5 reported, citing police.
In Walnut Hills, three were shot near Lincoln Avenue and Gilbert Avenue.
The fourth shooting, which took place on Linn Street in the West End, killed one person.
The extent of injuries at each location remains unclear.
“This amount of gun violence and the damage this has inflicted on our neighborhoods is unacceptable,” Police Chief Eliot Isaac wrote in the release. “I am calling on all citizens of this great city to say enough is enough! We must not sit by silently and say we can’t do anything to end gun violence. We all have a moral obligation to stop the violence and stop the killing in our communities.”
“One extremely violent night in the city of Cincinnati. Looking at possibly 17 victims, up to four that could be fatal at this time. Why? That’s going to be the question,” Assistant Chief Paul Neudigate told WLWT5 on Sunday morning.
There is no suspect information in the shootings, and police said they believe the shootings are unrelated, multiple outlets reported.
“Not that we have any information that they’re tied together. These all seem to be separate independent incidents but horrific and tragic that we have this much violence and potential for that much loss of life in our city,” Neudigate told WLWT5.
Mayor John Cranley called it “senseless gun violence that ruined lives and will cause immeasurable suffering” when the city is facing “unprecedented circumstances and challenges” in fighting crime during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the city has seen an uptick as people gather in private homes and public places when the bars close.
"Guns are far too prevalent at these gatherings. Please do not attend gatherings because you could end up as an innocent victim," he said in a statement.
Cranley stressed, however, that those firing were responsible for the shootings — which he called “attempted or actual murder” — and vowed to bring them to justice.
“I am also calling on everyone to help put an end to this culture of resolving personal disputes with guns as well as to reduce the far too prevalent availability of illegal guns on our streets,” he said. “The very sad reality is people are getting in trouble when they have nowhere to go and nothing to do.”
In July, the Enquirer reported the city had experienced a rise in shootings and homicides from gun violence during the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2019.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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