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Police: Teen charged in shooting that injured 3 children turns himself in

Police say shooting stemmed from fight
Covington police cruiser shooting crime tape
Posted at 7:24 PM, Apr 04, 2022
and last updated 2022-04-06 17:52:09-04

COVINGTON, Ky. — Covington police said a teen charged for his alleged involvement in a Monday night shooting that left multiple children and an adult injured has turned himself in.

The 17-year-old is charged with four counts of first-degree assault, one count of first-degree rioting and possession of a handgun by a minor after police said several people were shot following a fight involving numerous teenagers near W. 17th Street.

A previously published version of this story identified the teen with a name and photo because he remained at large and police said he was to be considered "armed and dangerous." Though Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said prosecutors intend on trying the teen as an adult, WCPO has removed his identity because those charges have not been filed at this time.

Investigators have also filed charges against 41-year-old Thomas Brown. Brown was one of the four hospitalized after the shooting. Brown was at UC Medical Center and arrested Tuesday night in Cincinnati.

Brown is being charged with three counts of first-degree assault, one count of first-degree rioting and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. His arrest warrant states police believe he was the first to produce a gun and fire shots.

A 14-year-old girl remains in critical but stable condition following the shooting. A 7-year-old boy and an 11-year-old boy have been released from Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Police said an additional juvenile was injured during the fight before shots were fired. That child was also taken to the hospital.

Video provided to WCPO by a witness shows the moment the shots rang out. A large group of people of varying ages were fighting when more than 10 shots were fired. The video does not show the shooter, only the crowd that was fired into. GRAPHIC WARNING: This content may be disturbing to some.

RAW: Shooter fires into crowd of kids in Covington after large fight

Covington police said investigators received and are reviewing videos of the fight. Investigators are also canvassing the area and talking to witnesses.

Families cried and prayed together outside the homes where the shooting happened. Jaren Zech said he rushed to the scene after learning a shooting happened outside his home.

"It makes me sick to my stomach, to be honest with you, because I have a kid of my own," Zech said. "I could have been (walking outside)...and that's why I was concerned. My mom and I live there, and little sister."

Another neighbor, George Smith, said he's been worried something like this would happen for months after hearing of fights. He said he recently reported to police that a child pulled a gun on him and ran off.

"He was younger — younger than a teenager, honestly," Smith said. "He looked like a 12-, 11-year-old kid."

Smith said he hopes this will somehow lead to change.

"I just really hope something gets done over this because there really is, there's a lot of kids in this neighborhood," said Smith.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Det. Brian Powers at 859-292-2375.

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