Cincinnati police find shell casings after shots fire near Evanston park

Cincinnati police recovered shell casings and found a broken window after shots rang out in the Evanston neighborhood Thursday evening. The gunfire occurred just before 7 p.m., sending families into a state of high alert as children played nearby.

A woman captured the audio on video, which includes the distinct sound of multiple shots followed by screaming. She filmed the scene near the intersection of Hewitt Avenue and Hackberry Street. The recording provides a raw account of the moments immediately following the discharge of the weapons.

Police responded to a separate shots-fired call in the 1700 block of Kinney Avenue around the same time. Investigators noted that this location is streets apart from where the video was recorded. While the timing is close, officials have not yet confirmed a direct link between the two sites. The physical evidence at the Kinney Avenue scene includes casings and a projectile that penetrated a home's window.

A local resident, who spoke on Friday, described the area as typically quiet. He expressed concern that the presence of children made the incident particularly alarming. "It’s alarming because children are playing. Children are playing. That’s the main thing. The safety of the kids," he said. He suggested the shooting could have been a prank or an attempt to scare someone, though he acknowledged the uncertainty.

The community has taken steps to reduce violence in recent months, according to the neighbor. He emphasized the relief that no one was hit, despite the close proximity to the play area. Police continue to examine the physical evidence to determine if the two locations are connected.

Investigators are currently reviewing the video and the physical evidence from both sites. No arrests have been announced in connection with the Thursday evening incident.