On September 8, 2019, 15-year-old Kesean Banks was fatally shot in the courtyard of the Crescent Court Apartments in Avondale, Cincinnati, OH. Banks, a student at Woodward Career Technical High School, was known for his artistic talent and quiet demeanor. He was shot by another 15-year-old, Donte Thompkins, during an altercation involving a group of boys.
Banks was not involved in the fight but was tragically caught in the crossfire.
Thompkins was arrested and charged with murder, felonious assault, and menacing. He was later sentenced to 27 years to life in prison. The incident also left an adult man, Tommy Glover, wounded in the leg. The community was deeply affected by Banks' death, with many calling for more support and leadership for young people in the area.
The loss of Kesean Banks highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence among youth in Cincinnati and sparked discussions about the need for community intervention and support systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.
