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Three people were shot and hospitalized early Sunday morning, November 23, in the Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighborhood near the bar Privee on Elm, police said. The Over-the-Rhine shooting highlights ongoing concerns.
WCPO reported that, according to the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD), officers responded just before 1:30 a.m. to a ShotSpotter alert in the 1900 block of Elm Street. This location is close to both a bar and a brewery.
Witnesses at the scene of the Over-the-Rhine shooting were interviewed, and police secured the area.
Reports say that private vehicles transported all three victims to local hospitals. CPD reports that they sustained non–non-life-threatening injuries.
No arrests have been made so far. According to police, the suspected shooter fled in a black Dodge Charger with tinted windows. No detailed description has been released following the Over-the-Rhine shooting.
A troubled history at Privee on Elm
This shooting marks the second major incident this month outside Privee on Elm. Earlier in November, just after 1 a.m., four people were shot outside the same club, including the nephew of the bar’s owner, authorities say.
Longtime residents of OTR are demanding that the city take decisive action. In interviews with WCPO, neighbors described a pattern of dangerous and disruptive behavior around Privee. This includes loud music, street fighting, people loitering outside, trash, and public drinking.
One resident told FOX19 that he found a gun in the grass near his home shortly after the earlier November shooting. He expressed fear for his family’s safety, citing the recent Over-the-Rhine shootings. He said, “I’ve told city officials … somebody is going to die if action’s not taken.”
Bar responds, officials under pressure
Privee’s owner, Paul Joiner, said after the first shooting that the incident “did not involve any patrons” inside the club. He also stated that the company maintains a zero-tolerance policy for violence.
He also highlighted that Privee has invested heavily in the neighborhood. This includes funding security, community cleanup, and development projects in Over-the-Rhine.
But residents remain unconvinced. Some community leaders and business owners have called for Privee to be declared a public nuisance, potentially leading to its closure, especially in light of recent Over-the-Rhine shootings.
Broader context: Concerns about public safety
The incident comes amid growing pressure on city leadership to address recurring violence in Over-the-Rhine like the recent shootings.
A FOX19 report notes that Cincinnati officials, including Council member Seth Walsh, have previously raised concerns about Privee’s operations. Their concerns were particularly raised after receiving complaints about noise and safety.
The Cincinnati Police Department has also recorded a drop in shootings overall in 2025 compared to previous years, but neighborhood-level violence remains a serious challenge. Recent Over-the-Rhine shooting incidents underscore this issue.
What’s next
CPD is urging anyone with information about Sunday’s shooting in Over-the-Rhine to come forward. CrimeStoppers is taking tips at 513-352-3040.
Meanwhile, OTR residents are pushing for more than just investigations; they want sustainable change. Some say the city must hold clubs accountable and take stronger action to protect the community.
Law enforcement in Cincinnati
In the previous week, law enforcement leaders from the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and the State of Ohio joined forces. They aim to trim down the crime crisis in downtown Cincinnati.
Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey revealed that they recorded seven misdemeanor arrests, eight felony arrests, eight drug recoveries, three stolen-vehicle recoveries, and six firearms seized.
McGuffey emphasized the depth of the collaboration. Deputies, city police, and Ohio State Patrol troopers are working together around the clock. They have more communication and full-time staffing. This eliminates the need to rely on overtime.
Also read:
Law-enforcement officials report gains in coordinated effort to tackle downtown Cincinnati crime
