An 18-year old out of Cincinnati has been arrested after shouting racially charged slurs against white people just before attempting to a group of them, according to a local news outlet.
“I don’t like white people in my hood,” the suspect, Devonta Allen, reportedly shouted as he attempted to shoot at three white people and one black person with a black semi-automatic handgun at about 11:15 a.m. on July 25 in the Kennedy Heights area in Cincinnati, WXIX-TV reported on Jul 31.
No one was injured, according to WKRC-TV, but the bullets struck two different vehicles the victims were riding in, leaving a trail of oil on the street. There were three bullets shot in total, prosecutors said in court, according to WXIX.
Neighbors in the Kennedy Heights area told WXIX that the shooting happened after a fight broke out about a stolen car, adding that they don’t recall Allen living in the area.
“I’d never seen him before and I don’t know who he was friends with,” a resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told WXIX.
Detectives in the case also told WXIX that Allen was not involved in the stolen care incident.
Allen, who turned himself in four days after the incident, is currently being held at the Hamilton County jail.
Allen’s attorney asked the judge in the case for a low bond, but it was set at $480,000, WXIX reported. He is being charged with four counts of felony assault.
Allen has no adult record but understands how serious the charges are, his attorney reportedly said in court on Wednesday.
While there is reportedly a video of Allen shooting at the victims, it is currently being withheld by police, stating it is evidence in their investigation.
Admitting that he committed the shooting, Allen only turned himself in to say that he was only returning gun fire after the victims shot at him first.
“This and other statements made by Allen are inconsistent with the videotape evidence and statements from the victims and witnesses,” police said.
Neighbors in Kennedy Heights say the neighborhood is usually a peaceful place, according to WXIX.
