Cincinnati man killed in Walnut Hills shooting as family seeks answers

Cincinnati police are investigating the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Terrell Peterson, who was killed in the Walnut Hills neighborhood on Wednesday night. Officers responded to the scene in the 2400 block of Essex Place just after 9:30 p.m. and found Peterson with a gunshot wound. He was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he later died. The Cincinnati Police Department Homicide Unit is handling the case and has not yet released information regarding a suspect.

Family members gathered Friday night to hold a vigil at the location of the shooting. Dawnetha McClendon, Peterson’s grandmother, expressed the family’s shock and grief. She described Peterson as her youngest grandson and her "everything." McClendon recalled that Peterson was born on July 25, 2005, weighing just 1 pound and 3 ounces. She questioned how someone could stop his heart after he survived such a difficult start in life.

The family noted that Peterson had lived in Kentucky until recently and served some time with the National Guard. They are struggling to understand why he was in Walnut Hills at the time of the shooting. McClendon stated that she had tried to keep him away from the area because the streets are dangerous. She noted that Peterson had returned to the neighborhood just three months ago. Their last conversation occurred recently, where Peterson told his grandmother he loved her and looked forward to Halloween and the holidays.

Peterson’s loved ones said the loss is being felt across the tri-state region. McClendon directed a message to the person responsible for the killing, calling the act "senseless violence." She stated that whoever stopped Peterson’s heart would eventually be caught. The family is asking for anyone with information to contact the Cincinnati Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542.