Fountain Square shooting video released by Cincinnati police
Cincinnati police released video of suspects in a shooting on Fountain Square that occured on Oct. 13.
A man accused of shooting two people at Fountain Square has also been connected to another shooting in Northside that happened just two days earlier, according to prosecutors.
Shaquille Ferguson, 24, appeared in Hamilton County Municipal Court for an arraignment before Judge Jackie Ginocchio on Oct. 20. Ginocchio set bond at $2.1 million in the Fountain Square shooting. With the bond in the previous Northside shooting set at $500,00, Fergusion in now being held on bonds totaling $2.6 million, according to court records.
Ferguson is facing charges, including felonious assault, improperly discharging a firearm and illegal firearms possession. He was on probation for an aggravated assault conviction from July.
Cincinnati police tied Ferguson to the shootings by matching shell casings recovered from the scenes through the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network, an automated ballistics evaluation program that provides investigative leads to police agencies
Police said Ferguson shot a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old at Fountain Square on Oct. 13, adding that he is known to the victims. They were both taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge previously told reporters a disagreement between two parties around 7:30 p.m. led to the shooting. The incident was captured on video.
The earlier shooting happened Oct. 11 on Spring Grove Avenue when Ferguson opened fire on another man with a 9mm handgun, police said in court filings. Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor David Hickenlooper said that the same gun was used in both shootings.
“This defendant is demonstrating his violent proclivities,” Hickenlooper said.
After a summer of high-profile violent crimes, the shooting prompted officials at City Hall to call Theetge’s leadership into question. Neither Mayor Aftab Pureval nor City Manager Sheryl Long has directly stated that they will replace Theetge; however, sources have said the city is negotiating with the chief over her resignation.
Data shows that crime in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown spiked this summer. While the levels of some crimes have decreased, both neighborhoods continue to experience certain types of crime at a higher rate.
Clyde Bennett II, Ferguson’s attorney, said his client turned himself in on Oct. 19 after learning there were warrants out for his arrest. Bennett asked the court to set a lower bond.
“I don’t think the bond should be set to appease the public, or to appease politicians,” he added.
A grand jury is expected to hear the case by Oct. 29 to decide whether Ferguson will face felony prosecution in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.
