By Baylee Weaver, Guest Writer 

A series of shootings near the University of Cincinnati’s campus occurred within the first few weeks of the new school year, prompting increased security precautions around UC’s campus and surrounding areas.  

On Aug. 23, a shooting occurred near Moerlein Avenue and Lyon Street, close to University Square, leaving one person injured. The next day, gunfire broke out around 3 a.m. near Calhoun Street and Jefferson Avenue right before the first day of classes. One victim was self-transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound.  

On Aug. 30 and 31, gunshots were reported late Sunday night into early Monday morning on Calhoun Street and South Market Street near University Square. Police investigated the scene, but no injuries were reported. 

On Sept. 1, 24-year-old Johnaethyn Edwards was killed and another injured on East Shields Street, near the UC College of Medicine. Another man was shot in the stomach outside of Cincy Steak & Lemonade on Short Vine Street. The victim was taken to the UC Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.  

Since these shootings, UC has taken numerous steps to increase security and reassure the community on and around campus. Barricades around UC’s University Square will be placed indefinitely while campus and Cincinnati police increase security around campus.  

UC is investing money in overtime for UC and Cincinnati police patrols, with extra security being present on weekends. Other measures like road closures to reduce traffic around the area and extra lighting around University Square have also been implemented to protect UC students and faculty.  

Marlee Afzal, a first-year student at UC, was on campus during the shooting on Calhoun Street; she had left the building near Calhoun 20 minutes from when the shooting happened. “There was a stampede of people, my friend is super tiny, and she got trampled over it. People were covered in bruises from falling over,” Afzal said. “I am not going to lie, we are kind of just used to it now.”  

Andrew Cornelli, a sophomore at UC, explained what happens when crime occurs around campus.  

“We get alerts on our phone, where they tell us where the shooting is and what is happening. Then they text us all clear,” Cornelli said.  

He then went on to explain some of the security measures that have taken place. “Target was shut down for a while. There is a Cane’s and a Starbucks that was gated off, so you must walk in a certain way. Everything is not closed, but just more secure.”  

As Xavier is located only a few miles from UC, the incidents have also raised questions about security on Xavier’s campus. “Always be visible. Everywhere you turn, you should be able to see one of our cruisers around Xavier,” Officer Musgrove advised. Musgrove explained that the security they provide is already strong, so the tight security seen around campus is the typical amount by the XU Police Department.  

As gun safety and response around it has become a prevalent issue today, universities continue to take measures they believe are necessary to keep students safe, whether through campus forces or local law enforcement agencies.  

UC Campus Police, XU Police Department and Cincinnati’s City Police Department all play roles to protect students and the surrounding community.