Innocent bystander killed with AK rifle, public outraged

A shooting in the West End has left one man in hospital. Police say he was not the intended target and one of the weapons used was an assault rifle.

“Do you understand what this bullet does to you when it hits your flesh?” asked anti-violence advocate Mitch Morris.

That’s one of the many questions running through Mitch Morris’ mind after a tumultuous end to the week in Cincinnati.

Late Thursday night, police responded to Derrick Turnbow Avenue where a 24-year-old man had been shot. They said he was an innocent bystander who was caught between two gunmen shooting at each other, one of whom was armed with an AK-style assault rifle.

“You know, if you get caught with that AK, what will happen to you when you get to the courthouse? You need to understand the territory you’re walking in,” Morris said.

It comes after a 5-year-old boy was injured in a drive-by shooting in Winton Hills.

“It’s been tough, but we have to keep fighting,” Morris said. “Nobody said war was easy.”

On Friday in the West End, mailboxes in the area where it happened were filled with fliers with a simple message. Morris and a group of four took to the streets, focusing on areas with high crime rates.

“They like to be out in the community before a crisis happens and build relationships, they can step in between shootings,” Morris said. “So when a crisis happens, they can go into the community and talk to people because they are familiar. It can’t be a pop-up, so they’re very involved.”

“I’m thinking about my kids,” volunteer Ariel Bolden said.

Volunteers with Morris in Winton Terrace are thinking about the dozens of children they work with every day. The mission is very personal for many.

“My son was killed 3 years ago in 2021 and that was one of the reasons why I am here now,” said volunteer Sherry Heidelburg.

That’s when she met Mitch.

“I met Mr. Mitch because he came to my house the day after I lost my son to give me information to contact,” Heidelburg.

She says Mitch has always been there and that consistency is key.

“There are people out here fighting this thing and trying to stop it, you’re not alone in this,” Morris said.

If you have information about any of the shootings, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040.