CINCINNATI – A man accused of shooting a 2-year-old boy and his grandfather faces as much as 24 years in prison.
A Hamilton County grand jury indicted Ernest Cephas, 35, on four counts of felonious assault and one count of having a weapon under disability, Prosecutor Joe Deters announced Thursday.
Police said Cephas shot the pair in a drive-by on Whetsel Avenue in Madisonville July 13. He was arrested a few hours later, thanks in part to witnesses who came forward.
The victims, Timothy Reed and 2-year-old Jon’Quezz Newbill, were hospitalized in critical condition. They were still hospitalized Thursday, according to Deters.
“Violence in our community is unacceptable and especially so when an innocent 2-year-old is shot in the head,” Deters said.
Deters also praised the fast work of police.
“The Cincinnati Police Department is doing an excellent job of developing new strategis to prevent violent crimes,” he said. “They are also acting quickly to arrest that small segment of our population who engage in violent crime.”
Deters encouraged any witnesses to the shooting to call police or Crimestoppers.
“We need to all stand up and say that enough is enough,” he said.
