A man was shot near a fast-food restaurant just off the University of Cincinnati's campus, according to an image caption from the scene. The shooting happened near the intersection of Ohio Avenue and West McMillan Street, a stretch of restaurants and retail that draws heavy foot traffic from students and residents alike.
The shooting was first reported by WKRC, which noted the victim was shot near the fast-food corridor that includes chains like Raising Cane's and Shake Shack. Details on the man's condition, the circumstances of the shooting, and any potential suspects have not been released.
A Corridor With a Troubled Track Record
This isn't the first time gunfire has erupted along this stretch of campus-adjacent businesses. In June 2025, 41-year-old Christopher Stallworth was killed inside the Shake Shack at 249 Calhoun Street following a parking argument, according to Crime Solvers Central. A Hamilton County grand jury later indicted 54-year-old Antwoine McCants on two counts of murder and two counts of felonious assault after restaurant surveillance video reportedly captured him shooting a man inside the restaurant.
The violence on this corridor stretches back further still. In August 2020, a shooting on the 100 block of West McMillan Street left 27-year-old Damarcus Payton dead and two other people hospitalized, per WHIO TV. And in September 2017, an 18-year-old man was shot and killed on West McMillan Street near Moerlein Avenue, just two days before his 19th birthday.
Shared Patrols, Persistent Concerns
The commercial strip along West McMillan and Calhoun streets sits within the CUF neighborhood — Clifton Heights, University Heights, and Fairview — which falls under the primary jurisdiction of Cincinnati Police District 5 while also receiving joint patrols from UC Police, according to the City of Cincinnati. That shared coverage reflects the area's dual identity as both a city commercial district and an extension of campus life.
The pattern of violence near UC hasn't been limited to this one stretch of storefronts. Hoodline previously reported an 18-year-old gunned down on the 2200 block of Ravine Street in June, an incident that triggered an investigation by the Cincinnati Police Homicide Unit. Other recent incidents nearby have included a critical shooting during a crowd dispersal at Fairview Park and a shooting on Gilbert Avenue in Walnut Hills, both within blocks of the university.
Safety Tools Available to the Campus Community
In response to years of off-campus safety concerns, UC Public Safety operates NightRide, a free nighttime shuttle running from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily that offers door-to-door transportation for students and staff within a one-mile radius of campus. The department also offers the Bearcat Guardian mobile app, which includes a safety timer, a direct line to emergency dispatch, and a way to submit anonymous crime tips.
Critically wounded gunshot victims in central Cincinnati are typically transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the region's primary Level 1 adult trauma center located near the main campus. No further details about the man shot near Ohio Avenue and West McMillan Street — including his condition or the circumstances leading to the shooting — have been released as of publication.
