Early Friday morning, a chilling scene unfolded on Sycamore Street in downtown Cincinnati: Justin Johnson, 34, was found shot multiple times inside his black BMW outside a popular bar. Despite efforts by first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, the shooting happened around 2 a.m., just as the bar was nearing closing time. Investigators say a vehicle approached Johnson’s car, someone inside opened fire, and then the shooter fled.
Witnesses remained tight-lipped, offering no cooperation to detectives. However, anonymous tips trickled in later, and authorities are combing through nearby surveillance footage to piece together what led up to the attack.
Officers believe two vehicles—a car and a truck—were seen speeding away from the scene. Whether one of those was the shooter’s escape route is under investigation.
This isn’t an isolated incident. In just the past few days, downtown Cincinnati has seen multiple shootings, raising alarm about public safety in the city’s core.
The spotlight on the police department is intense: the city’s law enforcement leadership is under fire, and in recent days there have been calls for change. With the Nov. 4 municipal election nearing, the timing couldn’t be more volatile.
Investigators continue searching for leads. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cincinnati police at 513-352-3542.