COVINGTON, Ky. – Authorities have taken three more juveniles into custody in connection with a shooting that killed a 14-year-old and injured another in Covington. The new arrests follow the initial arrest made a few weeks ago, and all four juveniles face charges related to the murder, according to police.
The first arrest was made shortly after the shooting, and the subsequent arrests occurred after law enforcement officers executed pickup orders at various locations in Covington and Newport. The 17-year-old involved in the shooting has already been charged with murder, and the county attorney expects the teenager to be charged as an adult.
The shooting took place in the Latonia neighborhood, where police responded to reports of a shooting involving two 14-year-olds. Both victims were transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where one of them succumbed to their injuries, and the other remained in stable condition.
The victim who passed away was identified as Amani Smith, and both teenagers attended Covington Independent Public Schools. Amani’s mother, Amber Smith, believes that the shooting could have been prevented, citing a prior altercation involving the shooter and her older son at school.
Law enforcement officials have not released further details about the circumstances leading to the shooting, but the community has been left grieving the loss of a young life. The tragic incident has reignited conversations about the need for improved school safety and conflict resolution strategies in the region.
With a total of 45 teen shootings reported in Cincinnati in the current year, concerns about youth violence and its impact on communities have been underscored, prompting authorities and community leaders to explore new approaches to addressing these pressing issues.
The investigation into the shooting continues as the community mourns the loss of Amani Smith and grapples with the questions and challenges posed by the tragic event.