Three people were killed and two others injured in a shooting early Monday morning near the University of Cincinnati. The incident, which took place in the area of Highland and East University avenues, less than a mile from the campus, has left the community in shock.

Early Morning Gunfire Erupts Near Campus

According to Cincinnati Police Department Capt. Mark Burns, the gunfire erupted around 2:50 a.m. Officers patrolling the area heard multiple gunshots and quickly responded to the scene. They found four males who had been shot, one of whom was already deceased. The motive for the shooting remains unknown.

Victims and Investigation

Paramedics transported the three surviving victims to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced two of them dead. A fifth individual, who had sustained at least one gunshot wound, transported themselves to the same hospital for treatment. By late Monday morning, two of the injured victims were reported to be in stable condition.

Lt. Jonathan Cunningham, a police spokesperson, confirmed that all victims are male, but their ages have not yet been verified. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been impacted by this tragic incident, this is simply heartbreaking,” Cunningham said.

At the scene, officers observed someone running into a home with a firearm. This individual eventually exited the house voluntarily and was taken into police custody. However, it is unclear if this person was the shooter or merely attempting to hide a weapon. Capt. Burns stated, “They don’t know if he was the shooter or if he was hiding a weapon – we have no idea.”

University Alerts and Public Safety Response

The University of Cincinnati’s Department of Public Safety issued an alert on social media platform X at 2:54 a.m. ET, informing the community about the shooting investigation. At 3:52 p.m., UC Police issued an all-clear, stating that a suspect was in custody and that police remained on the scene.

Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information about the incident to contact Cincinnati police. The investigation continues as the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless violence.

The tragic shooting near the University of Cincinnati underscores the ongoing issue of gun violence and its devastating impact on communities. As investigators work to uncover the motive behind the attack and ensure justice for the victims, the university and surrounding areas remain on high alert. Public safety officials emphasize the importance of staying vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to help prevent further tragedies.