A group of children were playing outside in Cincinnati on Friday evening when a shooter in a dark sedan began firing. The mass shooting left an 11-year-old boy dead, four children injured, and one adult injured. Dominic Davis was fatally shot, and his family and Cincinnati police are begging the public for help identifying the shooter and getting justice for the victims' families.
Multiple sources, including USA Today, reported that the shooter shot multiple rounds into a group of children in rapid succession before speeding away. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said the community "was shaken to its core," and a manhunt is underway for the killer.
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The innocent victims were just being kids.
The shooting occurred on Friday evening around 9:30 p.m., near Jones Street and Wade Street in the city's West End neighborhood, WLWT reported. The unidentified driver shot 22 rounds into the group of children. Davis died, and a 12-year-old, 13-year-old, two 15-year-olds, and a 53-year-old woman also were shot. Three were taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and two were taken to UC Medical Center. Officials pronounced Davis dead at the scene.
"Twenty-two rounds were fired," Pureval said during a news conference on Sunday. "Twenty-two rounds in a moment — into a crowd of kids. No time to respond. No time to react."
The motivation behind the brazen attack is unknown.
Many Cincinnati officials addressed residents' concerns during the news conference. They released little information about a suspect and whether the shooting was random or a targeted attack.
"This is not an act of God; this is not a natural disaster. The devastation, the harm and the loss of life are a shock to us all, but they stem from actions of real people and they (are) enabled by access to guns," said heartbroken City Manager Sheryl Long.
Dominic Davis' father was emotional at the news conference.
Isaac Davis spoke about the epidemic of gun violence in the United States and asked, "When will this stop? Will it ever stop? How many people have to bury their kids, their babies, their loved ones?" He said no one will understand the pain and the grief of losing a loved one until it happens to them.
He then pleaded with the public for any information leading to the capture of the person who killed his son. "Please come forward. We beg. I don't know what else to say, but just please come forward," he urged.
Cincinnati is plagued by gun violence.
In many cities across the US, gun violence continues to take the lives of innocent people each day, and Cincinnati is no exception. Pureval said during the news conference that investigators find 40% of the city's illegal weapons in cars. Although authorities continue to ask gun owners to secure their weapons safely, that isn't always the case.
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Dominic's tragic death devastated his family.
In a Facebook post, his mother, Lakisha McFarland, shared her gratitude for all who have helped the family.
"I just want to thank everyone for all the support and love for my baby. I'm so lost hurt I don't know what to do or even how to begin to plan a funeral I was not ready for this Lord please help me Lord please help me get through this. I need you right now I need you so bad," she wrote.
"Iam so sorry he was my daughter classmate this is extremely devastating prayers for you and your strength during this troubling time," a friend wrote.
Another prayed, "You have the worlds support I am praying for you we as a whole gone get you thru this my heart goes out to you and your family."
Hassan Dunn created a GoFundMe page. It has raised more than $5,300 of a $5,000 goal.
"To the person or persons responsible for this violent act: turn yourself in," Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge said during the news conference. "Call a loved one, have them turn you in. If you don't, we will find you and we will bring you to justice."
Anyone with information about the fatal shooting should call investigators at 513-352-3542.
