Community Mourns 11-Year-Old Child Following New Year’s Day Incident Near Playground
CINCINNATI — A family is mourning the loss of an 11-year-old girl after a shooting near a playground on New Year’s Day, an incident that has left the community grieving and demanding answers.
According to Cincinnati police, the incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. near Laurel Playground in the city’s West End neighborhood. District 1 officers said they were flagged down after reports that someone had been injured.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found an 11-year-old girl, later identified as QueenEr’Re Reed, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
City officials described the incident as a senseless act of violence. Former Cincinnati mayoral candidate Cory Bowman, who serves as pastor at the Reed family’s church, said QueenEr’Re had been playing with her cousins when gunfire erupted in the area.
Cincinnati Police Lt. Jerome Herring stated that investigators have not yet determined what led up to the shooting. Homicide detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
QueenEr’Re’s mother, Chere Williams, spoke emotionally with reporters, expressing her grief and frustration following the loss of her daughter. Williams shared that QueenEr’Re was her only daughter among her four children.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval extended condolences to the Reed family and pledged full support for the police investigation.
“My family and our entire city are grieving for the family, the community, and everyone impacted by this senseless, heartless gun violence,” the mayor said in a statement. “Our prayers are with you, but that is not enough. We cannot allow this to continue.”
Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Adam Hennie said detectives are “working tirelessly” to identify and locate the person or persons responsible.
“No child should ever lose their life to gun violence,” Hennie said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of QueenEr’Re Reed.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Cincinnati Police Department at 513-352-3040.
As the community mourns, residents and leaders alike continue to call for accountability and renewed efforts to prevent further tragedies involving children and gun violence.
