2 children in critical condition after Cincinnati shooting

Two children are in critical condition after getting caught in the crossfire of a Cincinnati gunfight Saturday evening, according to local police.

An eight-year-old child and another six-year-old victim, as well as two teenagers, ages 18 and 19, were injured during the quadruple shooting. The incident occurred just after 6 p.m. at a vacant lot in the Cincinnati neighborhood of East Westwood.

"Cincinnati Police Department officials said at least two gunmen, possibly more, were involved in a shootout near a vacant lot the two children were playing in when they were wounded," ABC News reported.

No arrests have been made as of Sunday afternoon, but Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said that the police investigation had "strong leads."

Both children are listed as being in critical condition at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, according to local law enforcement.

"I think when you have children involved, it changes the whole dynamic here. It shakes the conscience of a neighborhood when you have children hit," Lt. Col. Mike John of the Cincinnati Police Department said via news conference. "These aren’t people engaged in high-risk activity. They're just little kids."

The two teenagers suffered non-life threatening injuries and were being treated at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, said Cranley. "We are all outraged that two children have been caught in the crossfire of a shooting last night," Cranley said in the Sunday statement. "Our whole city prays for their recovery."

"We are confident the police will bring these violent criminals to justice," Cranley continued. At least two suspects fled on foot, said Cranley. Multiple shell casings of different calibers were found at the scene by investigators.

"We think there are multiple people firing shots here," Cranley told WCPO-TV. "It's at least two, but it could be more. We can tell that by the shell casings left at the scene. So, multiple weapons used. At least two we can confirm, but, like I said, it’s possible there were other shooters, as well."

Rodney Christian, a local community activist and president of the East Westwood Community Council, called the shooting a wake up call for the neighborhood.

"If this doesn't wake you up, I don't know what will," Christian said. "We have to do something about this. I'm just saying we've got a problem. We're in the red, and summer is going to get hotter, and we need to do something about this."

According to ABC News, the shootings come as Cincinnati experiences a 20 percent drop in homicides over the first five months of 2021.

Police data states that there has been 32 homicides recorded so far this year, compared to 40 during the same period last year.