OVER-THE-RHINE, OH – A man suspected of involvement in a stabbing incident was shot to death by police officers outside Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine, according to Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge. The situation led the city of Cincinnati to post a tweet indicating an “emergency” near the Music Hall on Thursday night at around 7:21 p.m. Consequently, parts of Elm Street were closed off.
The identity of the man killed has not been disclosed at this time. According to Chief Theetge, the man was believed to be involved in a stabbing incident in District 3, an area that serves neighborhoods on Cincinnati’s West Side.
After they received a description of the suspect’s vehicle, officers traced the suspect from District 3 to Elm Street, in front of the Music Hall. Upon exiting his vehicle, the suspect revealed a gun. Despite commands from officers to drop the weapon, the suspect failed to comply, resulting in officers opening fire.
Several gunshots were fired, according to witnesses, though the exact number of officers who engaged is unknown at this time. Footage provided by a witness captured the commands given by officers for the suspect to drop his weapon, but it remains unclear if the suspect complied before being shot.
The suspect’s vehicle remained at the scene hours later, observed with two flat tires. The stabbing victim, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, remains in a critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
While it’s understood that the stabbing incident is connected to a domestic dispute, the exact relationships among the people involved are not yet clear.
The incident did not delay the opera “La Traviata” scheduled to take place at Music Hall that evening, and no bystanders were hurt in the confrontation.