Cincinnati, Ohio – An 11-year-old boy was tragically killed and four other children were injured in a drive-by shooting in the West End neighborhood on Friday. The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office has identified the boy as Dominic Davis. The shooting occurred when someone in a car opened fire on a group of children, including Dominic, who were playing outside. The other victims, aged 12, 13, 15, and a 15-year-old girl, as well as a 53-year-old woman, survived the attack.
According to Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, the incident took place near an intersection, just a short distance from a daycare center, a girls’ dance studio, and a playground. Pureval condemned the shooting as “sickening and unimaginable,” emphasizing that the perpetrators fired 22 rounds into a crowd of children without giving them any time to respond or react.
This heartbreaking incident is not an isolated event in Cincinnati. Drive-by shootings have been a recurring issue in the city, with multiple cases reported throughout the year. In June, three juveniles and an adult were shot in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Additionally, there were at least five separate drive-by shootings in July, resulting in the deaths of a 9-year-old child and three adults, with three others sustaining injuries. Two of these incidents occurred in the West End.
Mayor Pureval highlighted that the drive-by shootings in Cincinnati are exacerbated by the nationwide trend of Hyundai and Kia thefts. However, the specific motives behind this recent shooting remain unknown. The investigation is ongoing, and the Cincinnati Police Department’s homicide unit is urging anyone with information to come forward.
The grieving father of Dominic, Issac Davis, made a heartfelt plea for justice, emphasizing the need for an end to these senseless acts of violence. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated by a family member to raise funds for Dominic’s funeral service.
This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence and protect the safety of children in communities across the nation. The loss of young lives like Dominic’s should prompt a collective effort to ensure such tragedies do not occur again. The Cincinnati Police Department continues to work tirelessly to find those responsible and bring them to justice. Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact investigators at 513-352-3542.
