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Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Boy Fell into Beloved Gorilla's Enclosure and a Quick Decision Was Made to Shoot the Animal. Then Drama Really Began
On the ninth anniversary of Harambe the gorilla's death, PEOPLE is looking back at the chaotic incident and the nationwide reaction sparked in its aftermath. Harambe was shot in May 2016 after he started dragging a young boy who fell into his enclosure An Ohio prosecutor decided in June 2016 not to charge the boy's mother in connection with the incidentA Saturday at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2016 quickly turned into chaos when a three-year-old-boy slipped into a gorilla enclosure and a 450-lb. ape began dragging him. To save the boy's life, zoo authorities made a quick decision to shoot the primate. The entire incident played out in a matter of minutes, but then took on a life of its own. On the ninth anniversary of Harambe the gorilla's death, PEOPLE is looking back at the chaotic incident and the nationwide reaction sparked in its aftermath. On May 28, 2016, the boy "climbed through a public barrier at Gorilla World and dropped fifteen feet into the exhibit's moat," the zoo explained in a statement at the time, noting that according to a Cincinnati Fire Department report, the gorilla then began "dragging and throwing the child." "Minutes later, the Zoo's Dangerous Animal Response Team arrived and made the difficult decision to put the gorilla down to save the child," the zoo continued, noting that the boy was then removed from the exhibit and taken to the hospital before being released that night. 'We are heartbroken about losing Harambe, but a child's life was in danger and a quick decision had to be made by our Dangerous Animal Response Team,' added Zoo Director Thane Maynard. 'Our first response was to call the gorillas out of the exhibit. The two females complied, but Harambe did not." Maynard went on to explain that since the child was still in the exhibit with Harambe, tranquilizing the gorilla "was not an option" as it would take minutes for the gorilla to feel the effects, during which time the child would remain in "imminent danger." "On top of that, the impact from the dart could agitate the animal and cause the situation to get much worse," added Maynard. However, in the days to come, zoo officials faced mounting criticism for not trying to tranquilize the 17-year-old Western lowland silverback before using lethal force. Still, Maynard argued that time was of the essence to protect the child. 'The idea of waiting and shooting it with a hypodermic was not a good idea,' Maynard said at a press conference two days after the incident. 'The risk was due to the power of that animal." The boy's mother was also scrutinized, eventually responding to backlash from those who said she hadn't been paying enough attention to her son. 'My son is safe and was able to walk away with a concussion and a few scrapes… no broken bones or internal injuries," Michelle Gregg wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post. 'As a society we are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes off of their child and if anyone knows me I keep a tight watch on my kids. Accidents happen." The family went on to urge those who wanted to help to consider making a donation to the zoo in Harambe's name. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Nevertheless, the internet persisted, and a petition called Justice for Harambe — which has since been closed — encouraged authorities to 'hold the parents responsible.' 'This beautiful gorilla lost his life because the boy's parents did not keep a closer watch on the child. We the undersigned believe that the child would not have been able to enter the enclosure under proper parental supervision,' it read. Ultimately, in early June 2016, an Ohio prosecutor announced Gregg would not face charges in connection with the incident. Harambe moved to the Cincinnati Zoo in 2014 after being born and raised in captivity at a zoo in Brownsville, Texas. In Ohio, zoo officials had hoped to breed him as his species is critically endangered. Jerry Stones, the zookeeper who helped raise him, said the loss felt like one of his own relatives had died. 'It tore me up, I was very close to him,' Stones said to ABC News. 'He showed a positive attitude as far as leadership. He nurtured his siblings. He would carry them around. That was one of the reasons I pushed for him to go to Cincinnati, so that he could have a family.' In the aftermath of his death, Harambe found eternal life as a meme – although not everybody got a laugh from them. 'We are not amused by the memes, petitions and signs about Harambe,' Maynard told the Associated Press back in 2016. 'Our zoo family is still healing, and the constant mention of Harambe makes moving forward more difficult for us. We are honoring Harambe by redoubling our gorilla conservation efforts and encouraging others to join us." Still, the legacy of Harambe still lives on. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Charges dismissed against Cincinnati firefighter involved in gun battle outside bar
A Hamilton County judge on Monday dismissed all charges against a Cincinnati firefighter who said he acted in self-defense when he was involved in a shootout last year outside a local bar. Mack Ogletree was charged with multiple counts of felonious assault in the Aug. 11, 2024 incident outside 629 Sports Bar in Colerain Township. Prosecutors said the shooting happened as a fight in the bar's parking lot was de-escalating. They accused Ogletree of firing at 40-year-old Phillip Shaw. At the time, Shaw was under supervision by federal authorities after serving a 10-year prison sentence for heroin trafficking and gun charges. But Ogletree's attorney, Brandon Fox, said video showed that Shaw fired first. Fox said Ogletree, 36, was protecting others who were involved in the melee. He has a valid license to carry a gun. Shaw was grazed in the head by a bullet. A woman who was inside a car in the bar's parking lot was struck in the arm. A trial was scheduled to begin Monday, but the woman, for a second time, did not show up. Shaw, who is charged with illegal gun possession by a felon, was present but through his attorney invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to testify and incriminate himself. That left the prosecution without either victim for the trial. "We were confident that we would have received a not guilty verdict, even if everyone would have shown up," Fox said. Ogletree remains on administrative leave. Cincinnati Fire Department Public Information Officer Lindsay Lomax Haegele declined to comment on the outcome of the case. Lomax Haegle said the department's command staff will review the situation and provide an update to the public in the coming days. Because the charges against Ogletree were dismissed without prejudice, prosecutors could refile the charges within one year. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Charges dismissed against Cincinnati firefighter involved in shootout
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Woman, 21, and Toddler, 2, Die and 10 Injured in 'Hellish' House Fire: Reports
A toddler and a woman have died and multiple people have been injured in a "hellish" house fire in Ohio, it's been reported. On Sunday, March 9 at around 1 p.m. local time, the Cincinnati Fire Department responded to reports of a blaze at 773 Summit Avenue in the city's Price Hill neighborhood, per CBS-affiliated station WKRC. The outlet reported that the fire chief described the scene as "hellish," stating that some residents had suffered injuries while jumping from the windows in an attempt to escape the blaze. Firefighters found "heavy fire" on the first two floors of the three-story, two-family home, per the station. CBS News stated that officers had received several 911 calls regarding the blaze. The outlet reported that 10 people, whose ages ranged from 3 months to 48 years old, had been injured and were being treated at the hospital, citing the fire department. Related: 2 Teen Brothers Die in House Fire, Their Mother Survives the Burning Structure: 'They Were Just 2 Really Sweet People' A female adult and a boy died in the fire, per WKRC. The Hamilton County Coroner's Office identified the victims as Nyla Harrow, 21 and Jayceon McGee, 2, in an email to PEOPLE on Tuesday, March 11. Firefighters attempted to rescue the missing individuals and "mounted a heroic attempt to search" for them, but "were ultimately forced out of the building as the fire grew," per CBS News, citing a fire department statement. It took the team two hours to get the blaze under control after they managed to fight the fire from the outside of the property, the outlet reported. They found the two victims' bodies several hours later. "While an initial assessment shows the cause was most likely accidental, the cause of the fire remains under investigation," the fire department said, per CBS News. Among the 10 taken to hospital were seven children, according to WKRC. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: Mom of 4 Young Boys Who Died in House Fire Convicted After She Left Them Locked in to Go Shopping WKRC reported that dozens of friends and family members had since gathered to pay tribute to the victims, holding a balloon release. Howard Curtis, whose stepdaughter Harrow died in the tragedy, told the crowd, "What I do on the count of three, I want everybody to say 'I love,' alright, really, this is what it's all about; it's about love, you all coming out here because you are showing us love for our losses. On the count of three, say 'I love,' one, two, three, 'I love,' " the outlet said in an Instagram post. "I want everybody to say a prayer for them tonight and make everything right for everybody, and I'm glad that everybody came here and you all showed love to my babies, my grandbabies," another family member said, per the station. The Cincinnati Fire Department and the Cincinnati Police Department didn't immediately respond after being contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Driver leaving parking lot killed in Riverside Drive crash
A driver pulling out of a parking lot on Riverside Drive was killed in a crash on Thursday night, according to Cincinnati police. The Hamilton County Coroner's Office said the person killed in the crash was Nicholas J. Kammerer, 31. Kammerer was driving a Toyota Carolla out of a private parking lot in the 900 block of Riverside Drive just before 8:15 p.m. when the vehicle collided with a 2020 Dodge Charger going eastbound on Riverside Drive, according to police. The Cincinnati Fire Department took Kammerer to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he died. The 21-year-old driver of the Dodge Charger was not injured. Police have not named that is being investigated as a contributing factor to the crash. Any witnesses to this crash are asked to contact the Cincinnati Police Department's Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Driver leaving parking lot killed in Riverside Drive crash
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Big Mac Bridge southbound I-471 lanes to reopen Sunday, 3 months after fire
The southbound lanes of Interstate 471 will open Sunday, a major relief to Greater Cincinnati drivers trying to cross the Ohio River over the Daniel Carter Beard bridge. 'Reopening southbound access to this bridge in just over three months is a tremendous accomplishment," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a Friday morning news release. "The closure of these lanes wasn't only an inconvenience but also a disruption to the supply chain. I applaud our (Ohio Department of Transportation) team and their partners for working hard to finish the project ahead of schedule." State officials closed the bridge Nov. 1 following a dramatic and destructive fire underneath it. They quickly reopened most of the northbound lanes but have kept the southbound side closed as workers repaired the Interstate 471 connection south. The repairs will cost more than $10 million. Investigators have filed aggravated arson charges against two people they believe set the fire and charged two others with obstructing the fire investigation. Here's what's happened since a Halloween night fire closed southbound Beard and snarled traffic throughout downtown and beyond: Nov. 1: Fire erupts around 3:20 a.m. at the 1000 Hands Playground at Downtown's Sawyer Point Park, immediately closing the Beard bridge overhead. Nov. 1: The Cincinnati Fire Department's fire investigation unit takes over a probe into the fire's cause. Nov. 2: Three of the four northbound lanes of the bridge, leading to northbound Interstate 471, reopen. Nov. 27: The Ohio Department of Transportation says the southbound side of the Big Mac – nicknamed that because of its yellow paint and resemblance to the M in the McDonald's restaurant signs – will remain closed until March. Dec. 5: Transportation department photos reveal how the fire warped steel girders and officials put the cost of repairs at "at least $10 million." Dec. 10: Crews finish removing damaged sections of the concrete deck of southbound I-471, and begin removing the damaged steel. Dec. 10: Cincinnati police arrest and charge two men with aggravated arson for the fire, filing charges of obstruction of justice against two others. Dec. 17: Steel begins arriving at Stupp Bridge to fashion into girders. Dec. 20: Workers open the left-most lane of northbound I-471, after replacing 70 feet of highway wall charred by the fire and installing a fence on the wall's edge to protect it from vandals. Jan. 13-15: Workers install seven steel girders to support new concrete decks on southbound I-471. Transportation officials update the estimated pricetag as $10.7 million and the likely reopening as early to mid-March. Jan. 25: Crews pour the first of two layers of concrete for the decks. Feb. 1: Crews pour the second layer of concrete. This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Daniel Carter Beard bridge lanes to reopen Sunday, ahead of schedule
