On March 27, 2012, Rodney Watkins, a 23-year-old Black male from Cincinnati, Ohio, was fatally shot while refilling his car's tires at the Marathon gas station on West Mitchell Avenue in the Avondale neighborhood. The shooting occurred just before 11 p.m., and Watkins was struck three times in the back. Despite his injuries, he attempted to flee the scene but crashed his vehicle in front of a nearby White Castle restaurant.
A witness transported him to University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
In the immediate aftermath, police arrested 27-year-old Eric Williams and charged him with murder. However, Williams provided an alibi that was corroborated, leading to the charges being dropped. As a result, the case remains unsolved.
Rodney Watkins left behind a family deeply affected by his loss. His mother, Rochelle Blackshear, has been vocal in seeking justice for her son. She revealed that Watkins had a son who was born just 30 days after his death, emphasizing the profound impact on their family. Blackshear has participated in support groups like Mothers With Murdered Children to cope with her grief and to advocate against gun violence.
Over the years, vigils and memorials have been held to honor Rodney Watkins and to keep attention on his unsolved case. Community members and organizations have joined his family in these efforts, highlighting the ongoing struggle for closure and justice. Despite the passage of time, the hope remains that someone with information will come forward to help resolve this case.
