NORTH COLLEGE HILL, Ohio -- A 19-year-old woman is dead, and three suspects are on the loose after police responded to a "drug-related home invasion robbery" at 1920 Dallas Ave. around 6 p.m. Tuesday.
"We found weed and several digital scales up there, so obviously we are believing that this was a drug-related home invasion robbery," said North College Hill Police Chief Ryan Schrand.
Schrand said the deceased woman was found in the doorway of the apartment while a male resident of the apartment shot in the torso was taken to a nearby hospital.
Police say at least 19 shots were fired by the homeowner using an AR-15 gun when two black male suspects and a female barged into the apartment.
"From what we know so far it looks like there were some text messages exchanged from the girlfriend of the resident here saying that people were coming over to visit, and she got a text message saying to come open the door," Schrand said. "So there really wasn't any forced entry and as soon as the door opened, then the shots started firing so we believe there was a set-up that took place here."
Police say the suspects ran from the scene and escaped in a gold car. They added that the girlfriend of the male victim was pistol-whipped and has been questioned by police.
"We are putting the hospitals on alert because with all the blood and the things that are up there and the gunfire that was exchanged, we are hoping that if the hospitals or anybody gets someone suspicious coming in with gunshot wounds they'll notify us," Schrand said.
