In a devastating incident near a Cincinnati elementary school early Wednesday, a 33-year-old woman, identified as Sarah Westbrooks, tragically lost her life in what police are now confirming as a homicide. According to reports from the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, Westbrooks succumbed to her injuries at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after being shot alongside a man inside a vehicle.
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was also shot and suffered life-threatening injuries. Both victims were immediately rushed to UC Hospital for medical attention. Remarkably, a child who was present in the vehicle during the incident escaped physical harm.
The shooting occurred at 3280 River Road, an address affiliated with Riverside Academy. The man, who reported the incident to the police, stated that he and his wife were shot while inside the vehicle. Cincinnati Police Spokesman Lt. Jonathan Cunningham confirmed that no arrests have been made yet, and the homicide detectives are actively investigating the case.
Riverside Academy Superintendent Jamie Brady provided details about the incident, explaining that a vehicle had entered the school driveway and then exited onto River Road during the morning drop-off. The school immediately went into lockdown when administrators heard five distant gunshots, a precautionary measure that lasted approximately 20 minutes and was lifted by the police.
Brady emphasized that no students witnessed the tragic event as they were safely secured inside the school. The incident took place at the bottom of the campus driveway and in an off-campus embankment. The vehicle involved in the shooting crashed into the nearby woods, leading to a swift response from Cincinnati firefighters, who extricated at least one person from the scene.
Local residents were deeply affected by the incident, with many describing their shock and concern for the safety of their community. Cincinnati Police are urging anyone with information about the homicide to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. They can contact the Cincinnati Police Department Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542 or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040. The community remains on edge as they await further updates from law enforcement authorities.
