COVINGTON, Kentucky – The recent shooting in Covington that resulted in the death of a 14-year-old and left another teenager injured has led to the arrest of three additional juveniles. This comes shortly after the initial arrest in connection to the tragic incident.
According to police reports, detectives and patrol officers carried out the arrests in different locations throughout Covington and Newport. The juveniles are all facing charges of complicity to murder. The arrests follow the previously made detention of a 17-year-old who has been charged with murder.
The identities of the juveniles involved will not be revealed as their cases are still in juvenile court. However, it is anticipated that the teen responsible for firing the shots will face charges as an adult, as stated by Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sander.
The shooting took place on Jan. 23, when officers were called to 39th Street and Decoursey Avenue in the Latonia neighborhood, where they found two 14-year-olds shot in the street. Tragically, one of the teens succumbed to their injuries, while the other remained in stable condition at the hospital. The deceased teenager was later identified as Amani Smith by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office.
Both teens were students at Covington Independent Public Schools, according to a statement released by the school district. Amber Smith, Amani’s mother, expressed her belief that the shooting was a result of a previous altercation involving her older son and the alleged shooter, and stated that she had attempted to bring the threats directed at her older son to the attention of school officials.
The details surrounding the shooting continue to unfold, and the community is grappling with the tragic loss of a young life. The incident has sparked discussions about school safety and the handling of threats and altercations among students. As the investigation progresses, authorities are working to ensure justice is served for the victims and their families.