Police: Uncooperative victims slow Middletown shooting investigations

Investigations into a recent rash of shootings in the city are being hampered by uncooperative victims, Middletown police say.

There have been at least three shootings in the city during a six-day period, sending two to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to police.

Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw said the shootings appear to be random with “no real connection.” However, he suspects the violence is linked to drugs.

“People in the game involved and getting shot at,” he told the Journal-News.

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In the recent incidents, victims have been uncooperative when questioned by police, he said. People are asking anyone with information about the shootings to call 513-425-7700.

Here are details on two of the latest shootings:

MAY 5

An 18-year-old Middletown man told police he was driving a car he borrowed from a friend on Cincinnati-Dayton Road, and he turned onto Caprice Drive. He then was struck in the back by a bullet while driving on Caprice.

The teen was transported to Atrium Medical Center. He wasn’t listed in the hospital’s patient directory this week.

When asked if he may have seen the shooter, he told police he doesn’t remember a car passing his vehicle or anyone standing next to the road.

MORE: Police find gun after teen shot in the back

MAY 9

Police found a man lying on the ground with a gunshot wound near his rib cages in the area of Malvern Street and Tytus Avenue, they said.

The 21-year-old man told police he was shot in an alley off Malvern, but he wasn’t sure where. He gave police no suspect information, according to the report.

He told police he was sitting in the back seat of a Jeep when he heard three shots. Police found at least two bullet holes in the Jeep.

The man was taken to Atrium, but he wasn’t in the hospital’s directory, officials said.

Police found 14 casings in the 3200 block of Central Avenue Wednesday morning. A few hours later, police located a vehicle in the 600 block of Concord Avenue that was riddled with bullets.

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