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Four dead in Cincinnati bank shooting
A gunman opened fire Thursday in a building in the heart of Cincinnati, sending people scrambling across the city's Fountain Square amid cries of "Shooter!" Police said four people including the gunman were killed. (Sept. 6)
AP
CINCINNATI – A gunman opened fire in a downtown office building Thursday, killing three people and wounding at least two more before he was fatally shot, police said.
Police Chief Eliot Isaac said three or four officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, but added that it was not immediately clear whether they shot him or he killed himself.
Gunfire erupted at Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati on Sept. 6, 2018.
MEG VOGEL/THE ENQUIRER
No motive for the carnage had immediately been determined. Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said the gunman appeared to target random people during the "horrific" attack.
"There's something deeply sick at work here and we as a country need to work on it," Cranley said.
Isaac said the rampage took place on the loading dock and then the lobby of the Fifth Third Center, a 30-story bank building in the heart of downtown. A phalanx of police officers and ambulances rushed to the scene at the height of morning rush.
City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld was the first city officials to reveal that the assault had resulted in deaths.
"Terrible shooting incident in the heart of our city this morning," City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld. "Multiple shot, and tragically there are fatalities. Details still emerging. Pray for our city."
A witness said he heard up to 15 shots. Leonard Cain was entering the bank when someone alerted him to the shooting. He said a woman was also walking into the bank and people tried to get her attention, but she had headphones on.
"She walked in the door and he shot her," Cain said.
Michael Richardson, who works in the building, was just outside the main doors smoking a cigarette when he heard gunshots. He said he saw a man firing a gun inside the bank lobby.
“I looked behind me and saw the guy – he shot and then he shot again," Richardson said. "After that I started running."
Police said two people were wounded. The University of Cincinnati Medical Center said two victims died at the hospital and that one survivor was in critical condition and another was in serious condition.
"We prepare for situations like these and hope they never happen," said Amanda Nageleisen, UC Health spokeswoman. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all involved."
Radio traffic indicated other victims may have been transported to Good Samaritan Hospital.
Gov. John Kasich and Ohio's senators, Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown, said they were monitoring the situation.
"There was a senseless act of gun violence on the streets of Cincinnati this morning," Kasich said. "I’ve spoken with the mayor and informed him the state will provide any necessary resources to the local police.
The building is located in Fountain Square, a hub for entertainment and dining in the city.
"What a sick, tragic way for this day to begin," Sittenfeld tweeted. "The scourge of gun violence leaves only loss."
Bacon reported for USA TODAY from McLean, Va. Contributing: Bob Strickley, Sharon Coolidge,Anne Saker,Kevin Grasha and Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati Enquirer
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