COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Federal authorities joined local police on Monday as they searched for a suspect in a weekend nightclub shooting in Cincinnati that injured nine people.
Nine people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after gunfire rang out at Riverfront Live concert hall around 1 a.m. Sunday. Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Henney said all victims are currently in stable condition.
The FBI is working with the Cincinnati Police Department on the investigation, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the suspect, spokesman Todd Lindgren said.
Ohio authorities have not yet provided any details about a motive for the Cincinnati shooting, although the shooting occurred almost simultaneously with a fatal bar shooting in Austin, Texas, which is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism.
Bill Halusek, a spokesman for the Cincinnati Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said that at this time, the shooting in Cincinnati is not an act of terrorism.
Anton Canady told Riverfront Live he heard a “commotion” that sounded like a fight. He said the music continued to play and a short time later he heard gunshots. That’s when he and his girlfriend, Brandi Willis, started running toward the exit.
Canady said Willis fell while trying to escape and he lay on top of her to protect her so she wouldn’t be trampled.
“I don’t think they did it on purpose, I just don’t think anyone wanted to die there,” he said.
The 40-year-old Cincinnati resident spoke to The Associated Press at a Cincinnati hospital as he waited for Willis to receive more medical care for injuries sustained while trying to leave. Canady said his legs were cut and bruised.
When he finally left the venue, he learned that one of the people shot was his cousin.
“I ran over and found something in the car next to us. I bandaged her wound so we could apply pressure. We tried to take the next step, which was to call 911 and get her the attention she needed,” he said.
Canady said he spoke to his cousin on the phone Monday and that she was “doing great” but “in shock.”
Jermaine Tandy, also known as DJ Fresh, was hosting a birthday celebration at the venue, according to a post on his Facebook page. DJ Fresh’s management said they were “shocked” by the events that took place during the celebrations.
“Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all those affected by this senseless act of violence,” the statement said. “The purpose of this event is to give us the opportunity to come together and enjoy great music; and have fun celebrating life, and it is deeply disheartening that the actions of one person have ruined the night for so many.”
The post states that under the DJ rental agreement, the venue owner is responsible for the security of the event.
Located along the Ohio River not far from the Riverbend Music Center, Riverfront Live often draws concertgoers to the larger outdoor venue, which is closed during the winter.
It changed its name to Riverfront Live in 2018 after attracting attention for criminal activity. Parts of the property are also known as the “Stage Forty-Three” and the “Inner Circle,” but it is best known as the former site of the iconic rock club Annie’s, which hosted famous rock acts in the 1990s and early 2000s.
