COVINGTON, KENTUCKY – Three additional juveniles were taken into custody on Thursday in connection with a shooting that resulted in the death of a 14-year-old and left another in the hospital. These arrests follow the initial arrest of a 17-year-old that occurred shortly after the shooting.
According to the police, the arrests were made after detectives and patrol officers executed pickup orders at various locations throughout Covington and Newport. All of the juveniles have been charged with complicity to murder.
The 17-year-old who was previously arrested has already been charged with murder. While the Enquirer does not usually name juveniles charged with crimes, the Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney expects the teen gunman to be charged as an adult.
The incident took place on Jan. 23, when officers responded to reports of a shooting in the Latonia neighborhood. The victims, two 14-year-olds, were found wounded in the street and were immediately transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Tragically, one of the teens succumbed to the injuries, while the other remained in stable condition.
The deceased teen, identified as Amani Smith by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, was a student at Covington Independent Public Schools. His mother, Amber Smith, believes that the shooting could have been prevented, as she claims the shooter had previously been involved in a fight at the school with her older son, Amani’s brother.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, while the community mourns the loss of a young life and supports the recovery of the injured teen. The impact of such tragedies on families and the community at large is substantial, highlighting the ongoing need for efforts to address and prevent youth violence.