Police: Teen had gun in hand when shot

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati police say 16-year-old Davon Mullins was shot and killed Saturday evening by Officer Oscar Cyranek at Fountain Square.

Police Chief James Craig and Mayor Mark Mallory held a press conference Sunday afternoon to show surveillance video of the altercation between Mullins and Cyranek.

The shooting occurred around 8 p.m. in front of a 5/3 Bank.

Craig said there were reports that there may be an unknown number of armed youth on and around Fountain Square and Cyranek had noticed Mullins holding something near his waist.

The surveillance video shows Cyranek confronting Mullins. The teenager resisted the officer's search and a physical altercation began and lasted more than a minute.

The video shows Mullins, of Westwood, pulling a firearm from his pocket. Craig says Mullins' finger was on the trigger. At that point, Cyranek drew his firearm and shot Mullins two times in the chest.

In the video, Mullins is seen throwing his firearm in the air. Cyranek held Mullins at gunpoint while he retrieved the gun.

Mullins was taken to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Craig says dozens of officers were called to the Square after receiving reports of young people throwing guns over a fence at a playground near the Black Family Reunion Event near Yeatman's Cove. Craig says two guns were picked up by youth on the other side of the fence.

Police say the group of young people that gathered near Yeatman's Cove walked to Fountain Square, but Craig could not confirm if Mullins retrieved his weapon during the exchange at the fence.

Craig said Mullins had several prior charges including felony robbery.

Police said Cyranek joined the force in 2006 and had one altercation in the past. Police would not say when the altercation was or if Cyranek used a gun or a taser.

The Square and several roads in the surrounding area were shut down for about three hours but were re-opened shortly before 11 p.m.

This is Cincinnati's second officer-involved shooting in two days and Craig says the increase is discouraging.

"This is not a good time. There's too much violence. One incident is one too many," Craig said.

Mayor Mallory was most concerned by the fact that there was a 16-year-old with a gun. He says he and Craig will be working with community organizations, churches and the police department to deter future shootings.

"We of course are doing all that we can do to conduct a proper investigation to find out exactly what happened and why," Mallory said. "But people should feel the city is safe. Downtown is safe."