Four shootings near University of Cincinnati put pressure on officials to address campus-area violence

Cincinnati and University of Cincinnati officials are increasing police patrols and imposing new restrictions around campus following four shootings in less than two weeks.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said Wednesday that the city and university are working together on measures including traffic and parking restrictions, additional lighting and increased police patrols. The university is also funding eight additional officers to patrol around campus, according to WLWT.

“We’re doing everything we can to make sure that we stop these violent acts, we hold people accountable, and then we prevent it from happening again,” Pureval said, according to WLWT-TV.

The response follows four shootings near the university since students began returning for the fall semester. WLWT reported the shootings have left four people injured and one dead.

“It’s obviously very serious,” Pureval said. “We take any violence very seriously, but particularly when we have violence in such a high-density area.”

The most recent shooting occurred Tuesday evening on East Shields Street near campus, marking the fourth shooting in less than two weeks, according to Local 12.

Shots were also fired early Sunday near Calhoun and South Market streets at University Square. No injuries were reported in that incident.

The same area was the site of a shooting Aug. 23 that left one person injured. A day later, another gunshot victim arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital after police received a ShotSpotter alert near Calhoun and South Market streets, although police could not determine whether the victim was connected to that incident.

Police have also responded to fights and large gatherings in the area since the semester began.

Cincinnati and university police said they are deploying additional officers on weekends. Local 12 reported barricades, a mobile command unit and an increased police presence were visible around University Square on Wednesday.

“This is not a UC challenge. This is not a CPD challenge,” Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie said. “This is our joint effort. And it is our goal to keep these young people as safe as possible and enjoy their college experience.”

University officials said shootings in neighborhoods surrounding campus are a concern even when they occur within the Cincinnati Police Department’s jurisdiction.

Police have not publicly identified a common motive or connection among the recent shootings. Pureval said officials are tracking data on the new measures and could adjust their response based on the results.

Cincinnati was the scene of a viral street brawl in July 2025, which later led state lawmakers in Columbus to introduce a bill to tighten bail requirements. Cincinnati police chief Teresa Theetge was subsequently placed on paid leave and found to be “not an effective leader” due to the city’s high crime rates; she was later dismissed.