On Sunday morning, nine people were reported to have been injured following a mass shooting in downtown Cleveland. According to Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond, the shooting occurred at approximately 2:25 a.m. near West 6th and Johnson Court.
Drummond noted that two officers and their marked cars were on the corner of West St. Clair and West 6th when the individual began shooting into the crowd. The victims of the shooting included seven men and two women, ranging in age from 23 to 38 years old. One male victim was in serious condition, while the other victims had non-life threatening injuries.
Drummond reported that the suspect was a black male, possibly with a gold grill in his mouth. He further mentioned that police have some leads but are not yet sure of the cause of the shooting.
In response, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, a Democrat, pointed to the passing of Senate Bill 215 last summer by Ohio Republicans as a possible factor in the shooting. Bibb mentioned the law, which allows individuals over 21 years of age to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, as a potential cause of the violence. He also commended the quick response time of police and EMS personnel, and mentioned the need for more tools to help get guns off the street.
Chief Drummond further noted that increased police presence would not have been enough to prevent the shooting, and instead suggested a holistic approach incorporating economic development, prevention, intervention, and opportunities in order to help turn things around. He concluded by stressing the need to find the individual responsible for the shooting and hold them accountable.