Ohio Man Claims Self-Defense After Christmas Day Shooting Injures Cincinnati Mother and Two Young Daughters
CINCINNATI, OHIO — A 58-year-old Ohio man accused of shooting a mother and her two young daughters on Christmas Day is now claiming he acted in self-defense, as prosecutors prepare to present the case to a grand jury.
According to the Cincinnati Police Department, James Brown, 58, is charged with three counts of felony assault in connection with the early-morning shooting that left a 36-year-old woman and her two daughters wounded.
Shooting Occurred In West End Early Christmas Morning
Police said the shooting happened shortly before 3 a.m. on Dec. 25 near the intersection of Central Avenue and Kindel Avenue in Cincinnati’s West End neighborhood.
Officers responding to reports of gunfire found a woman and her 10-year-old and 15-year-old daughters suffering from gunshot wounds. Authorities said all three victims were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
The mother was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, while both children were transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, police said.
Neighbors Describe Chaos And Gunfire
Residents living near the scene told local media they heard arguments and commotion before shots rang out.
“You don’t want to hear that happened to, like, a mom and two kids,” one neighbor told WLWT. “It’s kind of sad.”
Another witness told WXIX she heard approximately eight gunshots and recalled seeing the injured woman inside her vehicle.
“She was laying on that horn maybe for help,” the neighbor said. “By that time, the cops were here like that.”
Police Noted Vehicle Leaving Scene
Authorities also reported seeing a silver Chevrolet Impala leaving the area around the time of the shooting, according to a police spokesperson quoted by the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Initially, police said they could not determine a motive or connection between Brown and the victims.
Court Records Reveal Prior Allegations
Court records later reviewed by WXIX and the Enquirer revealed a lengthy prior history between Brown and the adult victim.
Brown had previously been accused in four separate assault cases involving the same woman since 2022. All of those cases were ultimately dismissed, records show.
Prosecutors also told the court Brown has a broader criminal history involving assault, domestic violence, and aggravated menacing.
Defense Claims Self-Defense During Arraignment
Brown appeared in court the day after Christmas with his defense attorney. During the hearing, his attorney claimed someone inside the woman’s car shot at Brown first, prompting him to return fire in self-defense, according to courtroom accounts.
Prosecutors pushed back, emphasizing Brown’s familiarity with the criminal justice system and the seriousness of the allegations.
Judge Sets $900,000 Bond
Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Brad Greenberg set Brown’s bond at $900,000 during the arraignment.
Brown is currently being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center, court officials confirmed.
A grand jury is expected to review the evidence and determine whether to move forward with a formal indictment in the coming weeks.
Do you believe self-defense applies in this case, or should prior history weigh more heavily in charging decisions? Share your thoughts and follow ongoing court coverage at WaldronNews.com.