Donnell Steele, a 30-year-old African American man from Cincinnati, Ohio, was shot and killed on February 18, 2021 in the Millvale neighborhood. Steele was not the intended target; he was killed during a retaliatory act that was part of a series of fatal shootings tied to a murder-for-hire scheme.

Authorities connected Steele’s death to multiple murders carried out between January 31 and February 18, 2021. Carl Godfrey, Jason Gray, Mario Gordon, and a 14-year-old boy identified as Mikeem Thomas were indicted in relation to those killings. Godfrey was described as the mastermind and was later found guilty of multiple counts, including aggravated murder and murder; others involved were also charged.

Steele is remembered by family and friends as a loving, caring person devoted to his family. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact investigators.