On November 30, RWC Dean Cady Short-Thompson issued the following statement regarding the shooting that occurred on the RWC campus on the evening of November 29: Dear RWC community:
I am writing to provide information regarding the events that occurred on our campus last night and have been reported in the media throughout the day. There’s been much discussion about last night’s unfortunate incident, with some information factual and many other details more accurately described as rumors. Below is a summary of the event along with responses to some of the questions and concerns.
According to the Blue Ash Police Department’s media release, on Monday, November 29, at approximately 6:06 p.m., Blue Ash Police units were dispatched to a report of shots fired in RWC’s rear parking lot. A female victim reported that she was arriving for an evening class when her estranged boyfriend drove up behind her and attempted to get into her car. As she drove away, the man fired several shots. Subsequent information gathered by the Blue Ash Police Department specifies that two 45-caliber shell casings were found in the parking lot. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident. However, the victim did damage a RWC employee’s car as she was fleeing.
The man was located by police in Mount Healthy at approximately 11:15 p.m. when he was arrested and charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony that carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine upon conviction. He may also be charged with firing a weapon in a school or residential area and illegally carrying a weapon. The Blue Ash Police Department continues to lead the investigation. Copies of the Blue Ash Police Department’s press reports, along with UC’s Police Division’s incident report will be made available in RWC’s Library if you would like to peruse the documents.
While this situation is indeed disturbing, it is extremely unusual. In fact, RWC is known as being a very safe, welcoming environment and events like this one rarely – if ever – occur. As a matter of law, the university is required to compile and post statistics related to crimes on campus; this information is posted on the UC website as a matter of public record and is available at http://www.uc.edu/pubsafety/police_services/Crime_Stats.html
As a recap, after the shots were fired, the woman dialed 911 and was instructed to keep driving by the Hamilton County 911 dispatcher. Shortly afterward, she came upon a Blue Ash Police officer at a traffic accident; at that point, the Blue Ash Police Department began the investigation. Because the woman left campus immediately following the altercation and first reported the incident to the Blue Ash Police, RWC’s Safety and Security department did not receive the initial report. At that point, because there was no imminent threat on campus, it was determined that a notification bulletin was no longer beneficial. Typically, such bulletins are distributed by the University’s Communication office through crime alerts that provide information to University community members about incidents that occur on or within close proximity of the campus. The crime alerts serve two purposes: 1) provide information about an ongoing danger to others and 2) to solicit information helpful to the resolution of the crime; by definition, this situation doesn’t meet either of these purposes so no alert was distributed.
Remember, all of your personal safety is tremendously important to me and yet, primarily our collective safety is each individual’s responsibility. The crime prevention tip I’ve been advised to share is “if you see it or hear it, report it” – meaning it’s best to immediately report any suspicious activity to our Safety & Security. The Help Phones throughout campus are a convenient resource for any type of assistance and the 911 emergency phone number is always answered. For more details, please review the RWC faculty and student handbooks for additional information on public safety.
I appreciate your concern and cooperation as we work together to continue providing a safe, secure and nurturing environment here at Raymond Walters College. Best of luck to each of you as your fall quarter wraps up.
Cady Short-Thompson, Ph.D.
Dean, Raymond Walters College
University of Cincinnati
149 Muntz Hall
Blue Ash, Ohio 45236
513-745-5660; Cady.Short-Thompson@uc.edu