Samuel Sam DuBose, a 43-year-old Black man, was fatally shot during a traffic stop by University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing on July 19, 2015. DuBose was unarmed and sitting in his car with his seat belt on when the shooting occurred during a stop for not having a front license plate. Tensing said he was dragged by DuBose’s car and fired in self-defense, but body camera footage showed no evidence that DuBose dragged the officer.

Tensing was indicted on murder and voluntary manslaughter charges. A November 2016 trial ended in a hung jury, and a retrial in May 2017 also ended in a hung jury; the charges were later dismissed with prejudice. Prosecutor Joe Deters publicly stated he believed Tensing should have been convicted for shooting DuBose without provocation. The killing prompted protests and became part of the national conversation about police violence and racial disparities in law enforcement.

DuBose was known as a rapper, music producer, entrepreneur, and motorcycle enthusiast who was deeply loved by his family and community. Anyone with information about the stop, the shooting, or DuBose’s final movements is asked to come forward.