NEWS

Police: Victims in Blue Ash shooting not cooperating

Kevin Grasha, and Cameron Knight
Cincinnati
Investigators process the scene of a shooting near the intersection of Oak and Florence avenues in Blue Ash, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.

UPDATED -- MONDAY 11:53 A.M.

Police have confirmed that three men were wounded in an exchange of gunfire Sunday in Blue Ash.

Investigators have talked to the third victim by phone, Blue Ash police Lt. Steve Schueler said Monday.

None of the three men have been willing to provide information about what led to the shooting, Schueler said.

"All three gunshot victims have been uncooperative," he said.

Investigators, he added, are continuing to examine evidence "and try to match bullets to guns to people."

No charges were expected to be issued Monday.

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At least 10 shots were fired Sunday morning during a shootout on a residential street in Blue Ash, police said.

One went through the garage door of Bryan Isaacs' house and missed his 10-year-old son, who was in the living room, by a few feet, he said.

"They don't want to go back in the house, at this point," Isaacs said, as his son and two daughters stood next to him outside their Florence Avenue home.

The shooting, which happened at about 11:20 a.m., led to a chaotic chain of events.

Two men, who police said were involved, were confirmed to be wounded by gunfire, and a third victim may still be at large.

One man was found after a four-vehicle crash at the intersection of Cornell and Deerfield roads, about a quarter of a mile away. Police said the man was a passenger in a car that rolled over. His gunshot wound is not considered life-threatening, Blue Ash police Lt. Steve Schueler said.

A 3-year-old child also was in the car and was taken to a local hospital. Schueler said the child's injuries were not life-threatening. No other injuries were reported.

A second victim was discovered at an area hospital. Police said they believe he fled with another man from a car found at the nearby Speedway. That vehicle had "gunshot damage," Schueler said.

Witness statements suggest a third man was also shot, but this victim has not been located. Officials have not been able to confirm if this man is the person who was found at the hospital. At this point, Schueler explained police must assume there are three victims.

Soon after hearing the gunshots, witnesses said they saw a man running from the area.

"He said, 'I've been shot,' and 'call the police,' " said Sonia Lipp. She said her wife ran after him, in an attempt to help. He appeared to have a bullet wound in his side, she said.

"He just took off, and she wasn't able to help him," Lipp said.

The shooting – the first in Blue Ash this year, Schueler said – began outside a home in the 11000 block of Oak Avenue, neighbors said.

Witnesses said they saw a car speed down the street.

Caleb Francis said he first heard the sound of screeching tires. Then he heard the sound of firecrackers, which turned out to be gunshots.

That sound continued down the street, he said, "like somebody was driving by and shooting."

"This is a nice neighborhood," Francis said. "People leave their doors unlocked. It's just sad that it came to this."

Descriptions of the suspects were not provided. Police are asking for anyone with information to call 513-745-8555.

Neighbors look at a bullet hole in a Blue Ash residence after a Sunday morning shootout.