Sarah Westbrooks

Sarah Rachel Westbrooks was a beloved daughter, sister, and mother who approached life with an infectious enthusiasm and a deep commitment to the people she loved. Born on January 8, 1990, the 33-year-old Black woman was remembered for her bright, vivacious, and compassionate soul. Sarah had a heart of gold and a soft spot for children, often opening her home to those in need. Her radiant smile and kind-hearted nature made her a beacon of light to those who knew her. A lifelong learner, Sarah graduated from Withrow University High School and later attended Empire Beauty School to study cosmetology. She continued to further her education, recently completing a Dental Assistant Radiographer certificate. Above all, she was a devoted mother to her five children: Alana Whittaker, Antwan Whittaker, Isaiah Westbrooks, Elijah Siler, and Ah’viar Lavender.

Tragedy struck on the morning of Wednesday, October 25, 2023. Shortly before 8 a.m., as parents and children were arriving at Riverside Academy in Cincinnati's Sedamsville neighborhood, gunshots rang out. Sarah was in her car with her fiancé and her one-year-old son, exiting the campus area. An unknown driver in another vehicle opened fire on Sarah’s Kia Soul in an alley next to the school. Struck by the gunfire, Sarah lost control of the car, which then shot across both lanes of River Road, narrowly avoiding other vehicles. The car hopped a curb and careened down a wooded embankment, finally stopping when it hit a tree.

When Cincinnati Police arrived at the 3200 block of River Road, they found a devastating scene. Sarah and her fiancé had both suffered gunshot wounds. Emergency crews rescued them from the wrecked vehicle and rushed them to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Sarah’s injuries were life-threatening, and she succumbed to them at the hospital. Her fiancé was listed in critical condition. Miraculously, her young son, who was in the back seat, was not physically harmed in the attack. A tow truck later pulled the car from the woods, revealing at least two bullet holes in the driver's side window.

The shooting, happening so close to a school as children arrived, sent shockwaves through the community. A nearby resident, Lisa Sanker, heard four or five gunshots. "I was shaking bad, because I knew it was close to home," she said. "It literally scared me because there was so much that could have happened. Children walking to school, other parents bringing their kids — and then the people going to work." The school was placed on lockdown for about 20 minutes following the incident. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge arrived at the scene and spoke out against the violence. “It doesn’t solve anything,” she said. “It absolutely harms a family whose loved one was shot and the people who are doing the shooting, I don’t think they realize the lifelong consequences that they could face for shooting somebody.”

Sarah’s sudden death left her family with a profound sense of loss. She was preceded in death by her father, Nathan Harris, and is survived by her mother, Esther Westbrooks, her five children, and her siblings Demetria Westbrooks, Elizabeth Westbrooks, Niesha Goodspeed, Nathan Nelson, and Natisha Harris. Her obituary noted, "the world is undoubtedly a dimmer place without her in it." A visitation and funeral service were held on Friday, November 10, 2023, at the New Birth Christian Center, followed by her interment at Landmark Memorial Gardens.

As of late 2023, the investigation into Sarah Westbrooks's homicide is ongoing. The Cincinnati Police Department has not released any information about a suspect or motive, and it remains unclear if the attack was targeted or random. No arrests have been announced. The case remains a painful open wound for a family and community searching for answers and justice. Police urge anyone with information about the shooting to call the CPD Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542 or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040, where tips can be left anonymously.