A gunman was among four people killed and several others were wounded in a shooting Thursday morning at a building in downtown Cincinnati.
The Associated Press reports that the shooting occurred at a building housing the headquarters of Fifth Third Bank in the heart of the city and sent people scrambling across Fountain Square amid cries of "Shooter!"
Police Chief Eliot Isaac said the shooting began at the loading dock of the 30-story building at around 9:10 a.m. before the shooter entered the lobby of the building and exchanged gunfire with police. The AP says the shooter was eventually killed in a hail of police gunfire.
“So, a very horrific situation,” Isaac said during a press conference at the scene. “We’re in the very early stages” of the investigation.
The gunman was identified as 29-year-old Omar Enrique Santa Perez, but police didn’t comment on a possible motive.
Michael Richardson, who works in the building, told The Cincinnati Enquirer he was standing outside the entrance when he heard gunshots in the lobby.
“I looked behind me and saw the guy — he shot and then he shot again," Richardson said. "After that I started running.”
One of the victims died at the scene and two others died at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. A UC Health spokesperson said one victim remained there in critical condition and another was listed as serious. All four patients received at the hospital had gunshot wounds.
"Please join me in praying for the victims, praying for our Country and join me in this fight to end senseless gun violence," Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said in a statement. "Our hearts are broken today."
