Bairon Chaj, a 19-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, was found shot and pronounced dead at the scene in the parking lot of the Hartwell Recreation Center on July 20, 2024. Police say the shooting took place during what appeared to be an attempted robbery, and investigators treated the death as a violent crime.

Chaj’s family described their grief and disbelief at losing a young life in such a way; the community has also been affected by the incident. An arrest has been announced in connection with the case, and charges have been filed. Few other details about the events leading up to the shooting have been released publicly.

If anyone witnessed the incident in the Hartwell Recreation Center parking lot on July 20 or has information that could help investigators, please come forward.