COVINGTON, Ky. — A Covington woman described the “horrific” scene that played out just outside her house Monday night, a shooting police said left four people injured, three of them being children.
The Covington Police Department said the shooting stemmed from a large fight involving juveniles that took place near an alley on the 200 block of W. 17th Street around 6:45 pm on Monday, April 4.
What You Need To Know
- Covington police are continuing to investigate a shooting that led to the injuries of four people, including three juveniles
- Police say the shooting stemmed from a fight that broke out between many juveniles
- A neighbor describes the scene, which took place outside her house
- Police have now identified two suspects, Thomas Brown and Taquan Estes
Christina Manies lives in a nearby house. Her oldest son called 9-1-1.
“I literally had just brought my baby, my three-year-old, in from the backyard. I was getting him settled, and I heard some people arguing, and I went back there to see what it was. When I came out, it was some teenagers, some women, and they started fighting,” she said. “Not even a minute later, some guy walked up with a gun and started shooting. So I ran into the house and was trying to get my kids together. And just trying to make sure they were OK, because all I could think about was like bullets coming into my house.”
Manies said the shooter’s firing was erratic.
“First, he shot it in the air, and I thought he was just trying to break them up. And then he was just aiming recklessly, like he didn’t care where it was hitting. It was just going where it was,” she said. “People were running around, screaming.”
Manies estimated there were about 20 to 30 people, many of them teenagers or younger, involved in the fight that led to the shooting.
Police said there were four gunshot victims.
According to a news release sent out Tuesday evening: Thomas Brown, a 41-year-old male, remains at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Brown is also a suspect in the case.
All other victims are juveniles and were identified by age and sex only.
A male juvenile, 7 years old, had non-life-threatening injuries. He was released from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Another male Juvenile, 11 years old, had non-life-threatening injuries. He was expected to be released from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital soon.
A female Juvenile, 14 years old, remains at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where she is in critical but stable condition.
Besides the four shooting victims, police said an additional juvenile was taken to the hospital for an injury resulting from the fight. That victim’s status was unknown.
“The most important thing right now is to be thinking about the 14-year-old, and hope that she comes out of this. And number two is that we can get these two shooters and bring them to justice,” Nader said. “There is no logical reason that three young children are suffering from gunshot wounds. They should be looking forward to playing outside as the weather warms up, and looking forward to spring break next week.”
According to a release, investigators have been able to identify several of the individuals involved in this incident. Investigators have filed the following charges on the following individuals:
Thomas Brown, 41-year-old male, of Covington:
- Assault 1st Degree (3 counts)
- Riot 1st
- Possession on Handgun by Convicted Felon
Taquan Estes, 17-year-old male (JUVENILE)
- Assault 1st Degree (4 counts)
- Riot 1st
- Possession of Handgun by a Minor
“In addition, Mr. Estes is at large and wanted in conjunction with another case and has an additional active warrant for Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree. He should be considered armed and dangerous—use caution when approaching,” the release said.
In a news conference with Nader, Covington Vice Mayor and Commissioner Ron Washington also commented.
“For people that come, work, play, live in our city, it’s a safe place. However, sometimes we have problems, and that’s why we have a very professional police force that’s going to get to the bottom of this,” Washington said.
Manies described more of the disturbing images, filled with blood and terror.
“I looked out the window, and I saw the little girl on the ground, and all the blood,” she said. “I heard she got shot in her neck. I wanted to come out and help, but I was so scared, and I wanted to make sure my kids were OK.”
She could later get a closer look at the girl.
“I can’t even explain it, like my heart fell to my stomach. I was trying to look for signs of life. Like if I can see her breathing, or her eyes moving. And she was just so still. And her eyes were open, and she was looking up at the sky. When you see stuff like that, it makes you think of your own kids,” Manies said. “It’s something that you’ll never unsee. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
She also saw a little boy who had been shot.
“He acted so brave. He was shot in the leg, and wasn’t crying, or nothing. But as soon as they said he had to go to the hospital, that’s when he got upset. He’s like, ‘No, I don’t want to go to the hospital,’ and tried to take off running with a bullet in his leg,” she said.
Manies then discovered some people involved in the altercation had escaped to her backyard.
“They busted my back fence down trying to get away from the shooting,” she said. “You could see there were a couple teenagers back there, like huddled down, trying to hide away from this guy.”
Manies said she’s hoping and praying the victims pull through.
“It definitely makes you realize the value of life. Life’s short. Hug your babies a little tighter, and cherish what you have, cause you don’t know when it’ll be taken away from you, just that quick,” she said.
Nader said police have been receiving video of the incident and are continuing to canvass the area. Officers are asking for the public’s help in identifying any potential suspects.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Brian Powers at 859-292-2375 or Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040.