'Lives were in danger': More details released on police shooting of man near Music Hall

Cincinnati police held a press conference Friday to release more information about the fatal police shooting of a man near Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine on Thursday evening.

Chief Teresa Theetge identified the man fatally shot by officers as 48-year-old Juan Mack.

The chief praised the officer's actions, saying they used solid tactics. During the press conference, video from body cameras and surveillance cameras were released.

Theetge said the incident started with a 911 call placed at 6:43 p.m. reporting a stabbing on Parkcrest Lane in Westwood.

In a recording, the caller reported a woman had jumped out of a car and ran toward his garage, then a man stabbed her about 10 times and fled in a car.

"This lady needs help right now," the caller said.

Theetge said police located the car, a blue Toyota Camry, about 20 minutes later at the corner of Enright and Warsaw avenues in East Price Hill. She said the officers spotted that the driver was covered in blood and tried to pull him over. However, Mack refused to stop.

"Several times during the pursuit, the suspect pointed a gun at our officers," Theetge said.

Video showed Mack stopped at Elm and West 12th streets and got out of the Camry carrying a Ruger .40 caliber handgun.

He walked up the sidewalk passing Memorial Hall toward Music Hall. At least a dozen officers followed telling him to stop and drop the gun. They tried to direct the crowds of people pouring into Music Hall for the opera to get out of the way and inside. A police cruiser slowly followed in the street with officers using it as cover.

Mack stopped near Music Hall as the officer repeatedly told him to give up the weapon. A sergeant fired multiple 40mm foam rounds at Mack, but he still held on to the gun, Theetge said.

Theetge said Mack told the officers: "I'm going to hell" and "I have a body on me."

She added that Mack told the officers that if they shot him with the foam rounds again he would "start popping" and told them to drop their guns first.

The chief said Mack eventually raised his firearm at the officers and four officers fired a total of six rounds at Mack. She said multiple officers immediately began to render aid to Mack.

Theetge said that she would not be releasing the officers' names due to Marsy's Law, which is designed to protect the identities of victims of crime. The Enquirer's sister paper in Columbus, The Dispatch, has sued over police not releasing officers' names following a shooting. In Florida, the courts have sided with the press on this issue.

Theetge said she met with Mack's family Friday morning and shared the video of the incident with them. She would not comment on the family's reaction.

"My condolences to the family," Theetge said. "They did lose a loved one."

The chief said this had "all the makings of a catastrophic incident," and called the officers' actions "heroic." She said the officer used good tactics during the confrontation.

"Many, many lives were in danger," Theetge said, noting the incident happened roughly 15 minutes before the start of "La Traviata," an opera that had its opening night at Music Hall on Thursday.

Police did not release the name of the woman who was stabbed. Theetge said she remained in critical condition Friday, though detectives were able to interview her.

She said Mack and the woman knew each other, but would not elaborate on their relationship. Mack has a prior conviction for domestic violence.

Theetge said police attempted to end the pursuit with stop sticks, but that it's unclear if that is what caused Mack to stop near Music Hall.

Mayor Aftab Pureval and City Manager Sheryl Long thanked the officers for keeping the citizens and visitors safe. Pureval said parallel investigations have already been launched by the Cincinnati police internal investigation section and Cincinnati's Citizen Complaint Authority.

"Guns being drawn in front of two gems of our city, Music Hall and Washington Park, is a terrifying moment," Long said, "especially in the early evening hours of summer when there are kids playing and parkgoers enjoying the weather."

Cincinnati Opera addressed the incident in a letter sent to patrons Friday afternoon.

"We're grateful to the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) for their quick response in ensuring the community's safety. We’re also thankful that no Cincinnati Opera or Music Hall patrons or personnel were involved in the incident," the letter reads.

"Please know that your safety is our top priority," the letter continued. "We partner with the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA), which manages Music Hall, and CPD to ensure a safe and secure environment at Music Hall."

Cincinnati Opera added that the association has "extensive security measures" in place for all performances and events. The measures include on-site security officers, metal detectors, bag checks and emergency training for all building personnel.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Music Hall shooting: More details revealed in fatal police shooting