CINCINNATI — Nine people are in stable condition after a mass shooting early Sunday morning at a music venue in East End, Cincinnati police Interim Chief Adam Hennie said.
Hennie said dispatch received a 911 call around 1 a.m. for reports of multiple shots fired inside Riverfront Live, a music venue located in the 4300 block of Kellogg Avenue along the Ohio River. At the time of the shooting, there were 500-600 individuals at the scene, Hennie said. Detail officers were also outside the venue when the shots rang out.
Nine people were shot and were transported to either UC Medical Center or Good Samaritan Hospital, Hennie said. All nine victims are in stable condition.
"I am so thankful that no one lost their lives during this horrific event early this morning," Hennie said at a press conference Sunday afternoon.
Hennie said police still have not identified any suspects in the shooting. He also did not give specifics regarding what led up to it, how many guns were fired or what types of guns were used.
Mayor Aftab Pureval, who was also at the press conference alongside City Manager Sheryl Long and City Councilmembers Scotty Johnson and Meeka Owens, said the mass shooting "is not and cannot be acceptable" and was a result of "senseless gun violence."
WATCH: Officials give an update regarding the mass shooting
"This is a dark moment for our community. It's horrific. It's unconsciousable," Pureval said. "And I understand the fear and trauma that so many in our community are experiencing right now."
Pureval said the shooting occurred where a large crowd was "expected to enjoy their night peacefully." According to social media, Riverfront Live was hosting a party with several DJs that began at 10 p.m.
Long said she was "heartbroken to witness such a senseless act of violence," but at the same time, she said she was not shocked.
"So many of us in America are at a similar state of unease, not wondering if a shooting like this will occur but when," she said.
Long said it circles back to responsible gun ownership.
"A responsible gun owner understands that deadly weapons have no place in large crowds and at entertainment venues. A responsible gun owner looks at a situation like this and is as furious as we are ...," Long said. "If you own a gun, we need this responsible gun owner to be you. If you cannot comply with these simple rules, you are complicit in the violence. Period."
"There is no excuse. Guns are gasoline to the flames of violence," Long continued.
DJ Fresh, one of the DJs hosting the event, which was a birthday celebration for him, issued a statement on social media via his management.
"We are devastated by the horrific events that took place during the DJ Fresh Birthday Celebration. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and everyone impacted by this senseless act of violence. This event was intended to be an opportunity for us to come together and enjoy great music; and have fun celebrating life, it is deeply frustrating that the actions of one individual ruined the evening for so many."
The statement from DJ Fresh and his management also specifies that security at Riverfront Live is the responsibility of the venue's owners and management.
Riverfront Live's owners also issued their own statement via social media, saying they're devastated by the shooting.
"We want to take this moment to thank the staff, the first responders, and the community that supported us last night as they have the last eight years," the statement reads. "The immediate reaction from CPD helped to prevent further casualties, To those brave men and women- THANK YOU."
