Four Dead, Including Shooter, At Downtown Cincinnati Fifth Third Center
At least three are dead after a shooting on Thursday morning at the Fifth Third Center in Cincinnati’s Fountain Square reports The Cincinnati Enquirer. The suspect has also been killed, while there are at least two injured.
The violence began shortly before 9 a.m. when the shooter entered the building through its loading dock and began firing his weapon in the building’s lobby. He was met by at least three police officers who engaged the suspect.
A University of Cincinnati Medical Center spokeswoman told CBS affiliate WKRC-TV that four victims had been transported to the hospital. She did not reveal the conditions of the victims. Later reports revealed that three men and one woman were taken to UC medical, one dead, two critical, one in serious condition.
There has been no immediate motive revealed as to why the shooter chose the Fifth Third Center, nor an identification or description of the shooter. Both should be released n due time.
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley was on the scene shortly after the situation ended to receive information about the incident.
“Something deeply sick is at work here,” said Cranley when speaking to the media. Cranley also praised the work of the Cincinnati Police Department and Fire Department.
Cincinnati Police Department released an update on Twitter.
@CincyPD UPDATE: active shooter/officer involved shooting incident at Fifth Third Bank at 511 Walnut Street in lobby and loading dock. Call received at 9:10am. Five victims injured, three dead. Suspect is dead. Three or four officers responded and engaged the shooter. pic.twitter.com/AlRP6wTANw
— Cincinnati Police Department (@CincyPD) September 6, 2018
Parts of Downtown Cincinnati are still shut down.
Ohio Senatorial candidate Sherrod Brown made a statement on Twitter.
“Devastating news in Cincinnati this morning. Thank you to the first responders who are rushing to the scene.”
Former Governor John Kasich released a statement on Twitter.
“There was a senseless act of gun violence on the streets of Cincinnati this morning. I’ve spoken with the Mayor and informed him the state will provide any necessary resources to the local police. I commend the law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel who swiftly responded to the scene and share my deepest sympathies with the innocent victims of this violent attack.”
Earlier descriptions of the incident on Twitter by the Cincinnati Police Department refer to an “active shooter/officer-involved shooting incident,” but there has been no elaboration on that information.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are now on the scene and assisting Cincinnati PD with the investigation, it has recently been reported.
Fountain Square is one of the busiest areas of Cincinnati, serving as the heart of the city’s downtown with shops, offices, hotels, and restaurants. The Fifth Third Center is a 30-story skyscraper that is located directly adjacent to the square.
