CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Investigators with the Chillicothe Police Department are looking into a shooting that occurred on July 14. The shooting took place in the alley behind 37 West Water Street and detectives say that teens are likely responsible.
According to a police report, an officer with the department witnessed the shooting while arriving for their shift. The officer saw a white Hyundai Sonata traveling eastbound in the alley. Two young African American males were also walking in the alley. The officer saw one of the males, who was wearing tan pants and a gray hoodie, turn and open fire on the vehicle. After a volley of gunfire, the two males fled from the officer.
The police department, with the assistance of the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, attempted to locate the fleeing suspects, but they were unsuccessful. Four spent .380 auto shell casings were collected at the scene of the shooting.
Officers believe the suspects to be teenagers.
Later in the day, the same officer was contacted by a woman who said that a juvenile (whose name has not been released by police) was asking where her son was. The person then told the woman that he “had to shoot at him” that morning.
The police department has not released any additional details about the shooting.
This marks one of a dozen of shootings that have occurred in Chillicothe since December of last year. Just this year, there have also been two fatal shootings in the city. As the rising gun violence continues, a group of concerned citizens have taken to social media demanding answers and accountability. Citizens United For Change and their “Operation Take Back Chillicothe” initiative have been seeking community involvement in combating the rising crime rates.
“This is not the same Chillicothe from 20 years ago,” said one member of the community coalition. “We never saw the level of crime and violence that we do now. Something has to change.”
As the gun violence continues, a dark cloud seems to have descended upon Ohio’s First Capital.