Jhonny Jesus Mercado-Perez, 26, was found shot and later died at the scene during the pre-dawn hours of October 12, 2025, on the 5000 block of Hawaiian Terrace in Cincinnati’s Mt. Airy neighborhood. Officers responding around 4 a.m. discovered him with a gunshot wound; emergency efforts by police and Cincinnati Fire did not save him. He was publicly identified the next day as the investigation moved into a search for leads.

Detectives canvassed the apartment complex and surrounding streets, working through a language barrier in the largely Hispanic area while witnesses began cooperating. Cincinnati police obtained a murder warrant for 32-year-old Edinson Antoni Guaita Ascanio, described as armed and dangerous and at large. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Unit or submit tips through Crime Stoppers.

If anyone knew Jhonny, saw activity on Hawaiian Terrace before dawn on October 12, or has information about Ascanio’s whereabouts, please come forward.