Juan Mack Death; Cincinnati Police Identifies Suspect Killed In Officer-Involved Shooting Near Music Hall: CINCINNATI (WXIX) – The stabbing suspect killed Thursday in an officer-involved shooting near Music Hall has been identified. Juan Mack, 48, was identified as the man who died, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge announced. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge is holding a press conference to discuss Thursday’s officer-involved shooting that killed a stabbing suspect near Cincinnati Music Hall.
Cincinnati, OH – The city of Cincinnati is grappling with the aftermath of a dramatic and tragic incident that unfolded near the historic Music Hall. On Thursday, June 27, 2024, police shot and killed Juan Mack, 48, a stabbing suspect, following a high-stakes pursuit and confrontation. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge identified Mack during a press conference, providing details on the sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting.
The incident began when Mack allegedly stabbed a woman in the neck. The victim was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition but later succumbed to her injuries. The stabbing set off a chain of events that culminated in a police chase and an officer-involved shooting.
According to Chief Theetge, officers were called to the scene of the stabbing and quickly identified Mack as the suspect. He fled the scene, leading police on a chase that ended near the intersection of 12th and Elm streets, close to Cincinnati Music Hall. During the pursuit, Mack crashed his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. At this point, he was reportedly armed with a firearm.
Chief Theetge detailed that multiple officers encountered Mack and issued numerous commands for him to drop his weapon. Despite these orders, Mack allegedly raised his gun, prompting officers to open fire. The exchange of gunfire resulted in Mack’s death at the scene.
Eyewitness accounts provide further insight into the chaotic and terrifying nature of the incident. One witness, identified as Miller, described hearing a loud scraping noise and seeing about 30 police cars in pursuit of Mack’s vehicle. The chase ended abruptly in the middle of the block, followed by an exchange of gunfire.
Miller recounted the surreal nature of the scene, likening it to a movie. “I was walking up the street and heard a loud scraping noise,” Miller said. “I looked to see what was going on and it’s this guy going up the street with about 30 police cars chasing him. Initially, I didn’t know it was his tires.” He added, “It was probably gunfire from two or three different guns. It looked like something from a movie. It’s something you wouldn’t forget or wouldn’t want to see live.”
Another eyewitness, who chose to remain anonymous, was in the area with her granddaughter when the incident occurred. She described seeing the blue car with flat tires, the suspect exiting the vehicle with a gun, and hearing police commands for Mack to drop his weapon. “I saw the police cars and this blue car stopped,” she said. “It had flat tires. The door opens and a man gets out and I hear people yelling, ‘Put the gun down, put the gun down.’ I saw him get out of the car and he had a black gun.” She further noted hearing gunshots minutes later while on the phone with her daughter.
Ken Kober, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 69, released a statement praising the officers’ actions. He emphasized that the officers gave multiple commands for Mack to disarm before they were forced to shoot. “Unfortunately, the attempted murder suspect who had ignored repeated pleas to drop his gun chose to raise that gun to point it at officers,” Kober stated. “Those officers followed their training and protected lives, shooting the suspect. Thankfully, no innocent people or officers were injured.”
Chief Theetge also praised the officers for their handling of the situation, despite the tragic outcome. “I praise the officers for being able to bring this to a resolution. It’s unfortunate what that resolution is,” Theetge said. “… and all of our citizens and all of our officers are safe.”
The entire incident remains under investigation, with authorities examining all aspects of the events leading up to and including the shooting. Chief Theetge confirmed that the initial stabbing incident between Mack and the woman was domestic-related, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to grapple with the implications of the incident and the loss of life. The police department’s handling of the situation will be scrutinized, and the findings of the investigation will likely prompt further discussions on law enforcement practices and community safety.
The tragic events surrounding Juan Mack’s death have underscored the volatility and danger inherent in law enforcement work, as well as the devastating impact of violence within the community
