CINCINNATI — Two men have been arrested after a shooting at an East End music venue injured nine people early Sunday morning, Cincinnati police announced.
Police said dispatch received a 911 call at around 1 a.m. for reports of multiple shots fired inside Riverfront Live, a music venue located in the 4300 block of Kellogg Avenue along the Ohio River. Detail officers were outside the venue when shots rang out, interim Chief Adam Hennie said.
Nine people were shot and were transported to either UC Medical Center or Good Samaritan Hospital. Police said all nine victims are in stable condition.
On Monday, CPD's Homicide Unit and Fugitive Apprehension Unit arrested 24-year-old Franeek Cobb and 29-year-old Derrick Long for felonious assault in connection with the shooting.
WATCH: The latest on the shooting investigation
"I am so thankful that no one lost their lives during this horrific event early this morning," Hennie said at a press conference Sunday afternoon.
WCPO 9 spoke with Gage Skillman, owner of Fiberglass Custom Repair Center, a boat repair shop next to Riverfront Live, who said he was shutting down the shop at the time of the shooting. Skillman said he didn't notice the gunshots at first, but said he heard several people screaming and cars racing to get out of the venue's parking lot. Skillman checked his building's security cameras and found they captured a large group of eventgoers fleeing the scene after the shooting, as well as the sounds of screams and gunfire.
"That is hard to listen to," Skillman said. "That was hard to hear the first time I rolled it back."
WATCH: A compilation of Fiberglass Custom's cameras captured outside of Riverfront Live
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is assisting CPD with the investigation into the shooting, according to an announcement on social media. On Monday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced a reward of $5,000 for any information that leads to the identification and arrest of any suspects involved in the shooting. Anyone with information can contact 1-888-283-8477 or email ATFTips@atf.gov.
Mayor Aftab Pureval, who was also at the press conference alongside City Manager Sheryl Long and City Councilmembers Scotty Johnson and Meeka Owens, said the mass shooting "is not and cannot be acceptable" and was a result of "senseless gun violence."
"This is a dark moment for our community. It's horrific. It's unconsciousable," Pureval said. "And I understand the fear and trauma that so many in our community are experiencing right now."
WATCH: Officials give an update regarding the mass shooting
Pureval said the shooting occurred where a large crowd was "expected to enjoy their night peacefully." According to social media, Riverfront Live was hosting a party with several DJs that began at 10 p.m.
Long said she was "heartbroken to witness such a senseless act of violence," but at the same time, she said she was not shocked.
"So many of us in America are at a similar state of unease, not wondering if a shooting like this will occur but when," she said.
Long said it circles back to responsible gun ownership.
"A responsible gun owner understands that deadly weapons have no place in large crowds and at entertainment venues. A responsible gun owner looks at a situation like this and is as furious as we are ...," Long said. "If you own a gun, we need this responsible gun owner to be you. If you cannot comply with these simple rules, you are complicit in the violence. Period."
"There is no excuse. Guns are gasoline to the flames of violence," Long continued.
DJ Fresh, one of the DJs hosting the event, which was a birthday celebration for him, issued a statement on social media via his management.
"We are devastated by the horrific events that took place during the DJ Fresh Birthday Celebration. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and everyone impacted by this senseless act of violence. This event was intended to be an opportunity for us to come together and enjoy great music; and have fun celebrating life, it is deeply frustrating that the actions of one individual ruined the evening for so many."
The statement from DJ Fresh and his management also specifies that security at Riverfront Live is the responsibility of the venue's owners and management.
Riverfront Live's owners also issued their own statement via social media, saying they're devastated by the shooting.
"We want to take this moment to thank the staff, the first responders, and the community that supported us last night as they have the last eight years," the statement reads. "The immediate reaction from CPD helped to prevent further casualties, To those brave men and women- THANK YOU."
