CINCINNATI — The family of two sisters shot and killed in Mount Washington Sunday afternoon said their hearts are "broken beyond repair" over their loss.
Officials say 26-year-old Samuel Tyler Ericksen shot 22-year-old Eden Adugna, 20-year-old Feven Adugna, and 27-year-old Bemnet Deresse on Aug 31.
When police responded to the scene in the 1500 block of Beacon Street, they found all four people suffering from gunshot wounds "both inside and outside of the residence."
Two of the people shot were pronounced dead at the scene. The other was taken to UC Medical Center, where they died. Police said Erickson shot himself and died days later at the hospital.
WATCH: Here's what we know about the shooting after speaking with law enforcement and neighbors
In a statement, family members said the Adugna sisters were born in Ethiopia and had a happy childhood until they lost their mother at the hands of their father. The two were then raised by their grandmother and aunt, and moved to the U.S. in 2018 "in search of a brighter future."
"We brought them across the Atlantic so they could grow, thrive, and pursue their dream of becoming doctors and saving lives," the statement says.
The family said the Feven and Eden, whose names mean "light" and "paradise," were taken in "a cruel and barbaric act."
"This moment feels like the weight of the entire world is crashing down on us! We are struggling to process the unimaginable," the statement says.
In a statement, a TriHealth spokesperson said Eden and Feven Adugna were "cherished" Good Samaritan Hospital employees.
"The TriHealth family is devastated by the tragic passing of two cherished Good Samaritan Hospital team members. Their dedication and spirit touched everyone who worked alongside them," the spokesperson said. "Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time, and we remain committed to providing ongoing support to all affected."
Police are still working to piece together how the shooting unfolded. Cunningham said that the suspected shooter had a romantic interest in one of the victims.
The Adugnas' family did not give many details, but did say they hope other parents "find strength and wisdom as you guide your daughters—reminding them that there are kind, respectful, and good-hearted boys and men in this world."
Brandon Reynolds, who lives nearby, said on Sunday he heard what sounded like gunshots going off both before and as police officers arrived on the scene.
"I was folding laundry upstairs, and then I heard some booms, which I thought was, you know, people practicing (fireworks) for tonight for the holiday," he said. "This is the first time I've seen crime (in) our neighborhood, on our block."
We returned to the scene on Monday and spoke with several other homeowners, grappling with what they saw the day prior.
"It just burns into my memory, actually seeing a young person wheeled out on a gurney, slumped over and thinking, 'Oh, no.' Just feeling really bad about that and wondering what happened," said Lisa Duesing, who lives across the street.
Doug Matthews, who has lived in the neighborhood for about a year, also witnessed parts of the scene play out.
"Everything becomes unreal. You can't quite absorb it," he said. "It felt like just time stopped, everything stopped, and you knew something bad happened."
Matthews also told us about a moment from before the shooting, while he was walking his dog, that has stuck with him since. It happened when he came across a young man sitting in the apartment building's parking lot.
"He petted the dog. And I said, 'Well, you got a friend for life.' And he said, 'No, maybe for a minute.' And then he said, 'You can go now,'" Matthews said.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call CPD's Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542.
