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“Our hearts are broken over the events that have transpired over the past 24 hours involving three of our students. We loved Austin, and our prayers go out to his friends and family.
“These events are yet another reminder that no community is immune from the scourge of senseless gun violence. We are sure that as the police investigation unfolds, more details will come to light. However, that does not and will not change the fact that a young man has lost his life and, regardless of the circumstances, that is a tragedy.
“We will continue to love our students in the hours, days, and weeks to come. We will offer additional layers of assistance to students and staff as well as partner with outside agencies to provide the support that our school needs during this difficult time. This is a wonderful community and a great school and we will weather this storm as a family does, together.”
Ross school officials declined to detail student records regarding the two suspects, citing student privacy laws. They said, however, neither suspect was currently suspended or under expulsion from the high school.
UPDATE @ 12:25 p.m.:
Austin Hensley, 18, died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Butler County Coroner’s Office.
Hensley’s death has been ruled as a homicide and the autopsy has been completed, according to a release from the office.
UPDATE @ 11:40 a.m.
“(The suspect) lured (the victim) to the house, they were gonna trade guns, supposedly,” Jones said. “In the process, the (suspect) had all intentions of robbing (the victim) that he lured into the house through social media.
“It appears a scuffle took place and then an attempted robbery, and the victim was shot and killed.”
Jones said the investigation is ongoing.
Ross Local School District Superintendent Scott Gates released this statement: “The district is certainly shocked and saddened by this tragedy. The Ross community is strong and supportive and our main objective now is to make sure our students and staff are taken care of as they process this event."
UPDATE @ 10:45 a.m.
A second suspect faces charges related to the shooting death of a Ross High School student.
That suspect, a 17-year-old who is also a Ross student, faces a charge of grand theft of a firearm. Court documents indicate the suspect, who is not being named, removed his father’s .38-caliber handgun from his father’s bedroom and passed it to another subject, who is not named in the documents.
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UPDATE @ 10:38 a.m.
Court documents from Butler County Juvenile Court say that the 17-year-old Ross High School student accused of fatally shooting another student washed and hid the weapon after the Tuesday incident.
The suspect made a court appearance this morning and was remanded to the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center.
He will appear for a pre-trial hearing on Feb. 12 in front of Judge Kathleen Romans in Butler County Juvenile Court.
UPDATE @ 10:09 a.m.
Two teenagers are facing charges in the shooting death of Austin Hensley, 18, whom was found shot at a home in the 900 block of Hine Road in Ross Twp.
A Butler County Sheriff’s Office release says a 17-year-old male is charged with murder, aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence. Another teen, a 17-year-old male, is also facing a theft of firearm charge, according to deputies.
This news outlet is not naming the two juvenile suspects.
A 911 call in the incident was received around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The investigation is ongoing. If you have helpful information, call deputies at 513-785-1251.
UPDATE @ 9:36 a.m.
Ross High School Principal Brian Martin said the suspect and victim in Tuesday night’s shooting in Ross Twp. were Ross High School students.
Martin said a recorded message left for members of the Ross community stands as his statement on the incident. The message was obtained by Cincinnati media outlets.
In the message, Martin said Austin Hensley, a junior at the high school, was shot and killed by another juvenile also from Ross High School, according to the media reports.
Martin said additional support staff are on hand today at the school for students.
INITIAL REPORT
A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged in a fatal shooting on Tuesday night in Ross Twp.
The victim is believed to be a teenager as well.
The shooting occurred at the residence of the suspect on Hine Road, detectives said. Detectives and deputies are inside the house finishing the investigation there.
The suspect was booked into the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center shortly after midnight on Tuesday. He faces charges of murder, aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence.
The shooting occurred in the early evening on Tuesday, officials said.
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