CINCINNATI (AP) — At least nine people were wounded — none critically — in a shooting outside a Cincinnati bar early Sunday, police said.

What You Need To Know

  • At least nine people were wounded in a shooting outside a Cincinnati bar

  • Most victims suffered wounds to their lower halves according to Lt. Col. Mike John of Cincinnati police

  • None of the victims were critically wounded

  • A police officer fired at a suspect who fled the scene, but it was unclear if that person was actually shot

The shooting took place shortly before 2 a.m. outside Mr. Pitiful’s bar in the Over-the-Rhine district.

Cincinnati police said around 1:39 a.m. officers with the Civil Disturbance Response Team responded to the area of Main and 13th streets to disperse a disorderly crowd.

While the officers attempted to clear the crowd, an altercation occurred between two groups nearby where at least two people involved brandished firearms and exchanged gun fire, police said. 

Officials said nine people were injured during the exchange of gunfire and either were self-transported or taken by the Cincinnati Fire Department to the hospital. According to officials, all nine were being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities said the victims range in age from 23 to 47 years old and include one woman and eight men. 

Most of the victims suffered wounds to the lower halves of their bodies, said Lt. Col. Mike John of the Cincinnati police. Police said the suspect was not in custody as of Sunday morning.

"Today's events are completely and totally unacceptable. The use of guns to solve disputes cannot become a normal part of our culture," said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. "I want to express the city's gratitude to the officers on the scene. Their quick reponse likely saved many more from injury and prevented the loss of life."

Police said an officer who was present during the incident fired one bullet at the alleged shooter near the intersection of Main and Woodward streets. Officials later identified that officer as Joe Shook, an officer with the Cincinnati Police Department's traffic division. They said Shook joined the Cincinnati police force in 2016.

According to police, it remains unclear if the bullet discharged by Ofc. Shook struck the suspect. Police said after the shot was fired the suspect fled eastbound toward Sycamore street.  

“It is a little unusual when we do not know for certainty whether the individual the officer fired on was struck or not,” John said.

John said police used what he called two “bang balls” — a “percussion instrument” with a “very loud noise” — to disperse the crowd they said had gathered around officers trying to provide aid to the wounded.

Kirsten Dockendorff has lived in Over-the-Rhine since 2017. Her apartment is about two blocks from where the shooting took place.

Dockendorff said the neighborhood feels safe overall. She said she regularly walks around, even late at night, by herself.

But there's a lot of people coming into the neighborhood, especially on weekend nights, she added. Dockendorff noted OTR feels even "crazier" this summer than it did pre-pandemic.

"You've got to be alert and aware of your surroundings, she said.

Another shooting in the neighboring Central Business District left two wounded soon after, but John said it was too early to tell whether there was a connection.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.