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U.S. NEWS Friday 7 September 2018

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‘A horrific situation”: 4 dead

in Cincinnati bank shooting

By ANGIE WANG and DAN building. Police swarmed complete sentences.
SEWELL an apartment in North “Then we knew what was
Associated Press Bend, Ohio, a village some going on,” Hanson said.
CINCINNATI (AP) — A gun- 15 miles west of Cincinnati. Jaenetta Cook, who man-
man opened fire early Deters confirmed it was the ages Servatii Bakery on the
Thursday in the heart of suspect’s residence. building’s first floor, said she
Cincinnati in an attack that “A very horrific situation,” hurried to lock the door af-
left him and three other Isaac said at the shoot- ter the first two shots were
people dead, police said. ing scene. “We’re in the fired. Then, she heard more Emergency personnel and police respond to reports of an active
The shooting sent people very early stages” of the noise that “sounded as if shooter situation near Fountain Square, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018,
scrambling across the city’s investigation. Federal and they were getting closer in downtown Cincinnati.
Fountain Square amid cries state agents were on the and closer.” Cook said she Associated Press
of “shooter!” scene as police searched and two other employees spokeswoman Kelly Martin nocent victims.” The Foun-
It happened at a 30-story the building. Michael Rich- hid in the bathroom for the said one victim remained tain Square often hosts
building, home to the cor- ardson, who works in the duration of the shooting. there in critical condition concerts, dancing, food
porate headquarters for bank building, told The “I made it out to see my and another was listed as trucks and other events
regional banker Fifth Third Cincinnati Enquirer that he kids, to see another day,” serious. All four taken to around lunchtime or in
Bancorp and other busi- was standing outside the she said in relief. the hospital had gunshot the evenings and is neigh-
nesses, including popu- entrance when he heard One of the victims died at wounds, she said. bored by a hotel, restau-
lar ice cream, pastry and gunshots in the lobby. the scene. Two more died Cincinnati Mayor John rants and retail shops.
sandwich shops. The bank “I looked behind me and at University of Cincinnati Cranley said the gunman “It could have been any
building was locked down saw the guy — he shot and Medical Center. UC Health was “actively shooting in- one of us,” Cranley said.q
for most of the morning, then he shot again. After
and the usually crowded that, I started running.”
surrounding streets and Leonard Cain told The En-
sidewalks were closed off. quirer he was going into the
Police Chief Eliot Isaac said bank when someone alert-
the shooter opened fire at ed him about the shoot-
about 9:10 a.m. at the load- ing. He said a woman, who
ing dock of the Fifth Third was wearing headphones,
Bank building. Isaac said didn’t hear the warnings
the gunman then entered and walked into the bank
the bank’s lobby, where and was shot.
he exchanged gunfire with Jessica Hanson, a contrac-
police. It was unclear if the tor with the bank’s con-
gunman shot himself or was cierge company, works on
shot by officers. one of the lower floors over-
Hamilton County Prosecu- looking Fountain Square.
tor Joe Deters said the She told The Associated
gunman was carrying a Press that after repeatedly
large amount of ammuni- hearing shots, she went to
tion, and the rapid police the window and saw peo-
response likely prevented ple running and ducking
many more casualties. He for cover as officers started
said one investigator said it shooting into the bank.
could have been “a blood- A woman who works with
bath beyond imagination.” her had taken the elevator
The gunman wasn’t im- down to get a drink. When
mediately identified, and the elevator doors opened,
police didn’t comment on Hanson said her co-worker
a possible motive. Police almost stepped on a man’s
Lt. Steve Saunders said he body. She got back in the
wasn’t a current or past elevator and rode up to
employee of Fifth Third, and her floor, where Hanson
police didn’t know immedi- said she was in complete
ately why he went to that shock and unable to form