A man was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Saturday after a suspected drive-by shooting at the intersection of Westwood Northern Boulevard and Beekman Street, according to Cincinnati police. Officers found the victim inside his vehicle with life-threatening wounds and called for emergency medical crews. The intersection and a stretch of Beekman stayed shut down for hours as investigators worked into the night.
As reported by WLWT, officers were dispatched after a ShotSpotter alert, and said they believe the gunfire was a targeted drive-by attack. First responders took the victim to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition.
Police response and ShotSpotter alert
City data and local reporting indicate that ShotSpotter often gets officers to scenes within minutes, and the technology has been deployed across Cincinnati as part of a broader push to speed responses to gunfire. WCPO reported that the system was recently expanded to several neighborhoods and that Westwood has been slated for inclusion in future phases.
Investigation status
Investigators told the station they found the victim in his car and that multiple rounds had been fired; officers put up crime scene tape and kept Beekman Street closed while they collected evidence, according to WLWT. Police have not announced any arrests or released a suspect description, and the investigation remains active.
Neighborhood context
The area around Westwood Northern Boulevard and nearby Beekman Street has seen other recent shootings, and local outlets have noted an uptick in violent incidents this year. FOX19 has documented previous shootings along Westwood Northern, and coverage shows officials are rolling out new enforcement strategies aimed at hot spots.
Police are asking anyone with information about the Beekman shooting to contact the Cincinnati Police Department. This story will be updated as more details emerge.
