Seven years after the gunfire that took his 14-year-old son, William Franklin returned to Lower Price Hill and once again pleaded publicly for justice. His son, Cameron Franklin, was shot and killed on the night of July 7, 2019, after leaving a party, and the family says there are still no arrests and no clear answers. The anniversary has brought another wave of grief and a renewed push for anyone with information to finally speak up.
Speaking to WLWT, William Franklin said, "There is no rebound from a homicide," and urged anyone who knows anything to come forward. He appealed directly to people who were at the gathering that night or who may have seen something in the area, asking them to call Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040.
According to FOX19, Cincinnati police say Cameron was hit when someone in a passing vehicle opened fire as he left a party near the former St. Michael's Church. Officers were called to the 2100 block of Storrs Street just before midnight and pronounced the teen dead at the scene. In the days that followed, family members held a vigil and repeatedly called on witnesses to share what they know.
Investigators have said they found no sign of any on-site conflict at the gathering, and WLWT reports that ballistics later linked the gun used to kill Cameron to three other shootings later in 2019. Even with that clue, no arrests have been announced, and the case remains open.
Unsolved Homicides And Community Pressure
The Franklins are not alone in their frustration. Citywide numbers show how many families are in similar limbo. WCPO reported that more than half of Cincinnati's homicides in 2019 remained unsolved, a trend that has left relatives of victims pushing hard for more cooperation from neighbors and passers-by. Local advocates and police say that anonymous tips are often what finally breaks a case open.
How To Help
Anyone with information about the killing of Cameron Franklin can call Greater Cincinnati Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040 or submit an anonymous tip online at Crime Stoppers, according to local reporting and the Crime Stoppers organization. Authorities say tips can be given anonymously and may be eligible for a reward.
For William Franklin and his family, each anniversary is both a painful marker of what they have lost and a reason to keep pressing investigators and the community. They say they will not stop searching for answers and will keep calling for someone who knows the truth to finally break the silence.
