16-Year-Old Rasheed Mills Fatally Shot Inside Over-the-Rhine Apartment: Cincinnati Community Grieves Another Teen Lost to Gun Violence
CINCINNATI, OH — June 20, 2025 — A Cincinnati neighborhood is in mourning after a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed Thursday night inside an apartment in the city’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. The victim has been identified by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office as Rasheed Mills, a local teen whose promising life was tragically cut short.
The incident unfolded around 9:45 p.m. on June 19, when Cincinnati Police officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of Vine Street following a report of a shooting inside a residential unit. When officers arrived on scene, they found Mills inside the apartment, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Emergency medical personnel responded quickly and transported the teen to a nearby hospital. Despite intensive life-saving efforts by hospital staff, Rasheed Mills was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
At this time, police have not released details regarding the circumstances that led to the shooting. It is unclear whether the shooting was accidental, self-inflicted, or the result of foul play. No suspects have been named, and investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward as they piece together what happened in the moments leading up to the gunfire.
Community Reaction: “He Was Just a Kid”
News of Mills’ death has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an outpouring of grief, frustration, and calls for justice. Local residents described Rasheed as a quiet, respectful teen who often kept to himself. Several neighbors, still rattled by the heavy police presence on Vine Street Thursday night, expressed heartbreak over the loss.
“He was just a kid,” said Tasha Reynolds, a resident of the same building. “He had his whole life ahead of him. This violence has to stop.”
Community activist Marcus Freeman, who works with at-risk youth in Over-the-Rhine, spoke out Friday morning. “This is yet another painful reminder of how gun violence continues to claim our children,” he said. “We need answers. We need accountability. But most of all, we need change.”
Investigation Ongoing
Detectives with the Cincinnati Police Department’s Homicide Unit have been interviewing residents of the building and collecting evidence from the scene. Police have not confirmed whether a weapon was recovered, nor have they disclosed if Mills lived at the residence or was visiting at the time of the incident.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything to contact the Cincinnati Police Department or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (513) 352-3040.
A City Gripped by Youth Violence
Rasheed Mills’ death marks yet another tragic chapter in what has been a troubling rise in youth-involved gun violence across Cincinnati. In just the first half of 2025, the city has seen multiple shootings involving teens—many of whom were either victims or suspects.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Councilmember Jamal Simmons. “We are seeing more and more of our children caught in cycles of violence, and every time a life like Rasheed’s is lost, it tears another hole in the fabric of our city.”
Remembering Rasheed
Friends of the family have started organizing a vigil to honor Rasheed’s life and to raise awareness about gun violence in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Details are expected to be announced in the coming days.
“Rasheed was more than just another name in the news,” said a family friend. “He was a son, a student, and someone who deserved to grow up, have dreams, and live a full life. That was stolen from him.”
As police continue their investigation and the community grieves, one thing is clear: the tragic loss of Rasheed Mills has left a profound impact not only on his loved ones but on an entire city still searching for peace amid a surge of senseless violence.