Police responded to a shooting on Warsaw Avenue in Cincinnati’s East Price Hill neighborhood early Tuesday evening. The victim, 14-year-old Rakeem Blair Jr., was hit in the face after a rock‑throwing incident outside a vacant building escalated.
What happened
According to family members, Rakeem and several other children were throwing rocks at the empty structure when someone inside the building emerged armed with a gun. The gun was fired, striking Rakeem in the face. A witness described hearing a gunshot followed by screaming and the cries of other children.
Law‑enforcement response
A SWAT team arrived at the scene and searched the building for a suspect, but the individuals involved fled before officers could make an arrest. The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not released details about potential suspects.
Family reaction
Rakeem’s grandmother, Shalonda Blair, spoke about the emotional toll on the family. “I couldn’t breathe. I still can’t breathe,” she said, adding that both sides of the family are traumatized by the incident. She referred to the boy affectionately as “little Rakeem,” noting how much he is loved.
Rakeem is being treated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where doctors say his injuries are serious but he is stable and expected to recover. “That’s my baby. I love him,” Blair said.
Community impact
Friends of the victim expressed disbelief that a dispute over rocks could turn deadly. “He probably didn’t think it was going to escalate that far,” said Arrion Johnson, a close friend.
The shooting adds to a recent history of tragedy for the Blair family. Less than a year ago, Shalonda’s son was shot and killed in Portsmouth, Ohio, and she was scheduled to attend a hearing for the suspects in that case the day after her grandson was shot.
Ongoing investigation
Police continue to gather evidence and are asking anyone with information to come forward. The incident underscores concerns about youth safety and gun violence in Cincinnati neighborhoods.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
