3 dead, 2 injured after shooting near University of Cincinnati

Three people were killed and two others injured in a shooting near the University of Cincinnati campus in the early hours of Monday morning.

According to WXIX-TV, WCPO-TV and USA todayOfficers with the Cincinnati Police Department were patrolling the area of ​​Highland and East University Avenue at 2:50 a.m. when they heard several gunshots nearby.

The students were informed of the incident minutes later.

“UC Emergency – Police are responding to an emergency reported at Highland/E University. Remain at your location if safe. Be alert/take action as needed,” reads a 2:54 a.m. post on X from the university’s Department of Public Safety.

A few minutes later, the department confirmed on X that police were on the scene and advised community members to stay in their homes, saying “more information” would be available shortly.

Upon arrival, police found four male victims, one of whom was pronounced dead at the scene, media reported. The other three victims were taken to local hospitals, where two of them were pronounced dead. A fifth victim later also showed up at the hospital, media reported.

While the incident remains under investigation, police reportedly saw someone run into a home with a firearm and was later taken into police custody. It remains unclear if that person was the shooter. PEOPLE has reached out to Cincinnati police for comment.

About an hour after the first alarm was raised, the University of Cincinnati Department of Public Safety posted on X: “UC Emergency: No response. Officers have arrived at Highland/E University for a shooting. Suspect is in custody, police will continue to maintain a heavy presence.”

Local resident Ronald Caulton recalled hearing gunshots in an interview with WCPO-TV.

“I was laying in my bed and I heard what sounded like shotguns, about four shots. I heard someone celebrating the Fourth of July very early, and after that there were maybe eight or nine more shots, right? And I just thought, ‘Oh my goodness!’ I said those weren’t fireworks,” Caulton said.

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“I said it was gunshots, you know, and then my daughter was already there and called 911,” he added.