Gunman kills himself, three others in shooting at bank in downtown Cincinnati

CINCINNATI — A gunman opened fire early Thursday in the heart of Cincinnati in an attack that left him and three other people dead, police said.

The shooting sent people scrambling across the city’s Fountain Square amid cries of “shooter!”

It happened at a 30-story building, home to the corporate headquarters for regional banker Fifth Third Bancorp and other businesses, including popular ice cream, pastry and sandwich shops. The bank building was locked down for most of the morning, and the usually crowded surrounding streets and sidewalks were closed off.

Police Chief Eliot Isaac said the shooter opened fire at about 9:10 a.m. at the loading dock of the Fifth Third Bank building. Isaac said the gunman then entered the bank’s lobby, where he exchanged gunfire with police. It was unclear if the gunman shot himself or was shot by officers.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said the gunman was carrying a large amount of ammunition, and the rapid police response likely prevented many more casualties. He said one investigator said it could have been “a bloodbath beyond imagination.”

The gunman wasn’t immediately identified, and police didn’t comment on a possible motive. Police Lt. Steve Saunders said he wasn’t a current or past employee of Fifth Third, and police didn’t know immediately why he went to that building.

Police swarmed an apartment in North Bend, Ohio, a village some 15 miles west of Cincinnati. Deters confirmed it was the suspect’s residence.

“A very horrific situation,” Isaac said at the shooting scene. “We’re in the very early stages” of the investigation.