UC closed, city prepares for DuBose shooting decision, video

The University of Cincinnati shut down its campus and canceled classes Wednesday morning in anticipation of a grand jury decision on whether a UC police officer should be charged for shooting to death a motorist during a traffic stop.

Ohio Highway Patrol troopers were seen arriving on campus, shortly after classes were canceled, and children attending day camps were sent home.

The impending grand jury decision has put both the university and the city on edge and has rekindled worries about the sometimes strained relationship between police and African-Americans in Cincinnati. City officials have said they also are taking precautions, such as asking neighborhood activists to help keep the peace.

"This decision is made with an abundance of caution in anticipation of today’s announcement of the Hamilton County grand jury’s decision regarding the July 19 officer-involved shooting of Samuel DuBose and the release of the officer’s body camera video," according to a statement from UC police.

"We realize this is a challenging time for our university community."

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said he will announce the findings of the grand jury investigating the case at 1 p.m. and will then release video of the shooting captured by the officer's body camera.

The officer, Ray Tensing, shot and killed DuBose during a traffic stop July 19 at Rice and Valencia streets in Mount Auburn.

Stuart Mathews, Tensing's lawyer, told The Enquirer on Tuesday he expects his client to be indicted by a grand jury.

"The political climate" in Cincinnati makes it likely Tensing will face criminal charges when the grand jury completes its work sometime this week, he said.

"It wasn’t supposed to happen,” said Mathews, who has seen Tensing's body camera video, which recorded the shooting. "Given the political climate of the situation, I would not be astounded if an indictment is returned. I am hopeful it will not happen.”

Ohio Gov. John Kasich said there is concern for Cincinnati at the state level.

"We have to see what the results are," Kasich said. I don't get in the middle of court cases. I'm concerned about all our communities and all our urban areas."

"We are prepared. We are as prepared as we can be."

Cincinnati's prepared for community response

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said city officials are preparing for the video's release, as well as the conclusion of a grand jury investigation.

City officials have reached out to community leaders to encourage a peaceful response, and are also making sure police have the resources they need to respond to any protests or unrest, Cranley said.

"I think we're prepared," Cranley said Tuesday. "Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate lawlessness."

DuBose funeral

At least 500 family, friends and community members mourned the loss of DuBose at a Tuesday viewing and funeral service in Avondale. DuBose was buried Tuesday afternoon.

The viewing and funeral were attended by city officials including City Manager Harry Black and Councilman Wendell Young.

Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell and four other uniformed members of the department also attended.

The Enquirer will update this story.