CINCINNATI (AP) — At least nine people were wounded — none critically — in a shooting outside a Cincinnati bar early Sunday, police said.
According to a Cincinnati Police news release, around 1:39 a.m. officers assigned to the Civil Disturbance Response Team responded to the area of Main and 13th streets in the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood to disperse a disorderly crowd.
While the officers continued to clear the crowd, an altercation occurred between two groups nearby where at least two of the individuals involved brandished firearms and exchanged gun fire, the release said.
Nine people were injured during the exchange of gunfire and either self-transported or were taken by the Cincinnati Fire Department to the hospital. According to officials, all nine were being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
Most of the victims suffered wounds to the lower halves of their bodies, said Lt. Col. Mike John of the Cincinnati police. Police said the suspect was not in custody as of Sunday morning.
Officials said one officer discharged a round at the shooter near the intersection of Main and Woodward streets. The suspect allegedly fled eastbound toward Sycamore St. and it is unknown if they were hit by gunfire.
“It is a little unusual when we do not know for certainty whether the individual the officer fired on was struck or not,” John said.
John said police used what he called two “bang balls” — a “percussion instrument” with a “very loud noise” — to disperse the crowd they said had gathered around officers trying to provide aid to the wounded.
“Today’s events are completely and totally unacceptable. The use of guns to solve disputes cannot become a normal part of our culture,” said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. “I want to express the city’s gratitude to the officers on the scene. Their quick reponse likely saved many more from injury and prevented the loss of life.”
The shooting took place shortly before 2 a.m. outside Mr. Pitiful’s bar in the Ohio city’s Over-the-Rhine district, a popular nightlife area. Another shooting in the neighboring Central Business District left two wounded soon after, but John said it was too early to tell whether there was a connection.
