DADvocate

Murder continues to be a growing enterprise in Cincinnati. 2005 nearly set a new record and in 2006 the criminals seem intent in going over the top. March, 2006 alone witnessed 12 killings due to criminal activity.

That 12 doesn't include the murder of a 31 year old woman in a minivan yesterday who was shot to death by a pedestrian after a confrontation at 1:30 in the afternoon.

Lana Brown, 31, was driving a green minivan near the corner of Race Street and 14th Street at about 1:30 p.m. Monday, police said. She apparently got into an argument with a pedestrian, who fired two shots into the vehicle.

Brown drove to Vine Street, and as she sat dying, passersby tried to rob her.

"She was slumped there over the wheel, and we actually had people run up to her car and try to take money out of her purse," Detective David Feldhaus said. "There were several citizens that saw this that stopped the people and turned the money back over to the police officers."

Police say 15 or 20 people witnessed the attack but no one has come forward with a description. Fine people.

This murder was in the same area that experienced race riots in 2001 due to alleged police brutality. Due to the riots, protests by Black leaders, a Dept. of Justice investigation, which found nothing significant, police have slacked off in their enforcement efforts in the area. Now the residents are reaping the rewards, death and crime. Unfortunately, I work within 6-8 blocks of this area. I have driven past the spot where this lady died several times in the past month. You can be sure I will not stop unnecessarily in this area.