Early Sunday morning, around 2:30 a.m., gunfire erupted near University Square, just across the street from the University of Cincinnati’s main campus. The incident marks the third shooting in the area since the fall semester began, prompting renewed worries among students, parents, and local residents.
Students react to the latest shooting
Students on the scene captured the chaos on their phones as they fled the area. Tristan Thomas, a first‑year student living in Calhoun Hall, described the experience as “scary” and expressed concern about the university’s ability to keep students safe off‑campus. “I can hear the shots, see the sirens, and it makes you wonder how the university can do a better job protecting us,” he said.
Second‑year students Londyn Kitto‑Lee and Isaiah Dudley shared practical steps they take to stay safe. Kitto‑Lee recommends keeping friends’ locations shared on apps like Life360 and texting parents before heading out. Dudley said he relies on the discernment his mother taught him, leaving a situation when something feels off.
University and police response
University of Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac issued a statement to families, noting that both the campus police division and Cincinnati Police Department have doubled patrols around the university and nearby neighborhoods with increased late‑night activity. “We take recent incidents involving gun violence off campus in nearby neighborhoods extremely seriously,” Isaac said, adding that the department is concentrating resources to strengthen safety for students and families.
The city’s police officers have jurisdiction off campus under a memorandum of understanding with the university, allowing them to respond quickly to incidents that occur on surrounding streets and sidewalks. A parent of a UC student praised the visible police presence on Calhoun Street and U Square, while also asking for clarification on specific enforcement strategies.
Growing concerns as enrollment rises
As the university’s enrollment continues to grow, more students are moving into new apartments just off campus, often walking the city sidewalks at all hours. The combination of increased foot traffic and late‑night activity has raised calls for stronger coordination between campus security and city law‑enforcement agencies.
University officials acknowledge the challenges of protecting students beyond the campus perimeter. “The campus itself is exceptionally safe, but the moment you step off campus, the risk can increase,” said Thomas. The university’s public‑safety department remains the primary agency on campus, while Cincinnati police handle incidents in the surrounding neighborhoods.
What parents and students can do
Local safety experts advise families to stay informed about police activity, use safety‑tracking apps, and maintain open communication with students. Parents are encouraged to discuss personal safety plans with their children, including identifying safe routes home and knowing when to call for help.
Both the university and city police have pledged to keep the community updated on safety measures and to work collaboratively to prevent future incidents. Residents are asked to report any suspicious activity promptly and to cooperate with law‑enforcement efforts aimed at maintaining a secure environment for all.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
