Police chief provides update on fatal police shooting in OTR

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge praised officers’ efforts during Thursday’s fatal shooting after a chase ended in a busy area of ​​Over-the-Rhine. It all started around 7 p.m. when officers initially responded to a report of a stabbing on Parkcrest Lane, according to police. Police said a woman was stabbed in a car at an undisclosed location and drove to Parkcrest Lane, where a man called 911. The caller stated the woman had been stabbed multiple times. The suspect in the stabbing fled the scene. When officers tried to stop him, he sped away, prompting police to go on a chase. During the chase, the suspect pointed a gun at officers multiple times, according to Theetge. Theetge said the suspect stopped in the middle of an intersection near 12th and Elm streets and fled on foot with a firearm in his hand. Surveillance footage shows the suspect walking toward the Music Hall armed. The video shows officers on foot and in cars approaching the suspect in close proximity to the Music Hall, where people can be seen walking into the building. Theetge said officers chased him and told him multiple times to put the weapon down. Theetge said one officer fired several foam grenades, but they had no effect. After several more commands, Theetge said, officers fired their weapons, fatally striking the suspect. Theetge said a total of four officers fired their weapons. The officers are not being identified at this time, Theetge said. Surveillance video of the incident also shows officers telling the suspect multiple times to put the weapon down. Theetge identified the suspect who died as Juan Mack, 48. “My condolences to the family. They lost a loved one,” Theetge said, saying she has spoken to the family and shared the facts of the incident. The woman who was stabbed was taken to UC Hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Homicide detectives were able to interview her Friday, Theetge said. The relationship between the woman and the suspect is unclear, but police said it was “domestic-related.” Theetge said an event was taking place at the Music Hall at the time. No citizens or officers were injured in the incident. “I want to commend the heroic efforts of our officers. This had all the makings of a catastrophic incident,” Theetge said, referring to the number of people in the area. “Kudos to our training staff for teaching them so much tactical skill.” The chief said the incident is being investigated according to protocol. Ken Kober, President of the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #69, issued a statement on the incident: “This evening, a man stabbed a woman in the neck, nearly killing her. She is in critical condition at UC Hospital. Cincinnati Police were called and the murder suspect fled. He led police on a chase through several neighborhoods before exiting his car, apparently armed with a semi-automatic pistol, in front of the Music Hall. Cincinnati Police officers gave several commands to drop the weapon to avoid the use of deadly force. Unfortunately, the murder suspect, who had ignored repeated requests to drop his weapon, decided to raise the weapon and point it at the officers. Those officers followed their training and protected their lives by shooting the suspect. Fortunately, no innocent people or police officers were injured.”