Antonio Eric Little III, an 18-year-old African-American male, was fatally shot on Sunday, October 4, 2015, in the Westwood neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of Lafeuille Circle, near the Lafeuille Apartments, leaving a family devastated and investigators searching for the person responsible. Antonio suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including serious injuries to his leg. The violence ended his life at a young age and raised questions about the circumstances that led to the deadly encounter.
According to Cincinnati police, Antonio was shot several times during the incident. Reports indicated that one of the bullets severed an artery in his leg, causing severe blood loss. Neighbors near the apartment complex described the seriousness of his injuries, reporting that he had bled extensively following the shooting. Emergency responders were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding his death, attempting to determine what had happened before the gunfire and identify whoever had carried out the attack.
As news of the shooting spread, Antonio's father, Tony Little, spoke publicly about losing his son. He recalled receiving a telephone call late Sunday informing him that Antonio had been found dead. His reaction reflected a painful mixture of grief, concern, and the struggles he had experienced while trying to guide his son away from dangerous influences. Tony acknowledged that Antonio had made troubling decisions and that he had repeatedly attempted to discourage him from spending time on the streets. Despite those efforts, he had been unable to prevent the circumstances that ultimately resulted in his son's death.
During an emotional interview, Tony explained that he had feared receiving such a call someday. He had worried that his son might eventually become involved in circumstances that would lead either to his death or to serious legal trouble. His comments offered a glimpse into the difficult relationship between a concerned parent and a young person navigating an environment where violence was a persistent concern. Rather than focusing entirely on his personal loss, Tony used the opportunity to encourage other young people to recognize that their lives held possibilities beyond street activity. He emphasized the importance of making better choices, supporting family members, and pursuing opportunities that could lead to a different future.
The Cincinnati Police Department's homicide investigators opened an investigation into Antonio's killing and began seeking information that could establish who had shot him. At the time of the initial investigation, authorities had not publicly identified a suspect or announced a motive. Investigators did not disclose whether the shooting stemmed from an argument, a personal dispute, or another confrontation. Although reports established that Antonio had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, the events immediately preceding the attack remained unclear. Police sought assistance from members of the community who might have witnessed the shooting or possessed information about those involved.
The investigation faced the challenge of identifying the person responsible without publicly available suspect information. Authorities encouraged anyone with knowledge of the shooting to contact Cincinnati police or provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers. Detectives hoped that individuals familiar with the circumstances surrounding Antonio's death would come forward with information that could help establish the sequence of events and identify the shooter. The lack of a publicly identified suspect in the initial reports left important questions unanswered for Antonio's family.
Available public reporting does not establish that anyone was subsequently arrested, charged, prosecuted, or convicted specifically in connection with Antonio's murder. No verified information identifying a suspect or documenting a criminal trial or sentencing could be located. The case has also appeared in publicly accessible cold-case listings associated with the Cincinnati Police Department. However, the precise current investigative status has not been independently confirmed, and the absence of publicly documented arrests does not necessarily mean investigators have stopped pursuing leads.
Antonio Eric Little III's death remains a painful example of the devastating consequences of gun violence in Cincinnati. His father was left to mourn a son whose life ended before he had the opportunity to fully enter adulthood, while also hoping that his family's experience might encourage other young people to avoid similar circumstances. The shooting on Lafeuille Circle left unanswered questions about the identity of the person who fired the fatal shots and the events that led to the encounter. Without a publicly verified arrest or conviction, the available record provides no definitive account of who killed Antonio or why. His case remains a reminder of the lasting impact of an unresolved homicide on surviving family members and the importance of information that could help investigators establish the truth and bring accountability for his death.
