Executive Summary
- The ATF is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the shooting death of 11-year-old QueenEr’Re Reed.
- Reed was fatally shot at Laurel Playground in Cincinnati’s West End at approximately 6:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
- Local officials, including the Mayor and Interim Police Chief, have condemned the violence, though no suspects have been identified.
- The ATF highlighted a similar unsolved fatal shooting of another 11-year-old, Dominic Davis, at the same park in 2023.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced on Friday that it is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individual responsible for the fatal shooting of 11-year-old QueenEr’Re Reed in Cincinnati. The federal agency is coordinating with local law enforcement to solicit leads regarding the incident, which occurred on New Year’s Day.
According to Cincinnati Police, officers responded to the Laurel Playground in the West End neighborhood at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Thursday following reports of gunfire. The park is situated at the intersection of West Liberty Street and John Street. Upon arrival, first responders discovered Reed suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where she subsequently succumbed to her injuries.
Reed’s mother, Chere Williams, spoke to WLWT on Friday, describing her daughter as a lively child who enjoyed dancing and acted as a second mother to her siblings. “My only daughter. It’s my only daughter,” Williams stated. “She knew nothing but to boss her older brother around. Her nickname was mommy for a reason.” Family members, including Reed’s grandmother, expressed heartbreak over the sudden violence that claimed the child’s life shortly after she arrived at the park.
Local officials have publicly condemned the shooting. Mayor Aftab Pureval, Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie, and Congressman Greg Landsman have issued statements expressing condolences to the family and urging the community to assist in the investigation. As of the latest update, police have not identified a suspect or established a motive for the shooting.
The ATF noted that this case bears similarities to the 2023 fatal shooting of 11-year-old Dominic Davis, who was killed at the same playground. The bureau confirmed that an active reward remains available for information regarding Davis’s death as well. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the ATF at 1-888-283-8477, email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact the Cincinnati Police Department at 513-352-3040.
Investigative Outlook
The involvement of the ATF highlights the federal commitment to addressing gun violence involving minors in the region. Law enforcement’s strategy currently relies heavily on community intelligence to break the silence surrounding the identities of the perpetrators in both the Reed and Davis cases. The recurrence of fatal violence at Laurel Playground suggests a critical need for witness cooperation to advance the investigation, as physical evidence alone has not yet yielded an arrest. While no specific suspects have been named, authorities emphasize that identifying the shooter is a top priority for public safety.
