CINCINNATI, OH — In a swift convergence of local and federal law enforcement, two men were apprehended on Monday, March 2, 2026, in connection with a chaotic mass shooting that left nine people wounded. The arrests follow a harrowing weekend at Riverfront Live, a popular East End music venue, where a birthday celebration was transformed into a scene of terror and survival.
The arrests of Franeek Cobb, 24, and Derrick Long, 29, were announced just as the city began to process one of the largest mass shootings in its recent history. Their capture marks the beginning of a high-stakes legal battle that pits the rights of the accused against a community’s demand for safety in its public spaces.
The Incident: The Riverfront Live Gunfire
The violence erupted at approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026. A crowd of 500 to 600 people had gathered for a private birthday party hosted by a local DJ when an argument reportedly spiraled out of control.
According to court records and witness statements, the shooting was not a random act of terror but the result of a "long-standing grudge." Prosecutors allege that when Cobb spotted a specific individual inside the venue, he "immediately" opened fire. The discharge of weapons inside the enclosed space triggered a panicked stampede.
- The Scene: Witnesses described hearing "commotion" that sounded like a fight before the music was drowned out by gunshots.
- The Survival: One attendee, Anton Canady, recounted shielding his girlfriend from being trampled as the crowd rushed the exits. Upon reaching safety, he discovered his own cousin had been shot and used a cloth from a nearby car to apply a makeshift tourniquet until paramedics arrived.
- The Toll: Nine victims, ranging in age and background, were transported to area hospitals. While all are currently listed in stable condition, the emotional and physical scars of the event have left the city on edge.
Three Days of "Swift Justice"
Following the shooting, the Cincinnati Police Department’s homicide unit launched an intensive investigation with the assistance of the FBI and the ATF, who offered a $5,000 reward for information. The timeline from the first shot to the first court appearance was remarkably brief:
- The Manhunt: Using video surveillance and witness tips, investigators tracked Cobb and Long, both of whom have extensive criminal histories involving firearms.
- Legal Disqualification: Both suspects were already prohibited from legally possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, Cobb for cocaine trafficking and weapons charges, and Long for arson and receiving stolen property.
- The Arraignment: Franeek Cobb appeared in Hamilton County Municipal Court on Tuesday morning. He stood "emotionless" as prosecutors detailed how he allegedly fired into the crowd without warning or immediate provocation.
The Legal War: Security, Liability, and Marsy’s Law
On March 3, 2026, the focus shifted from the crime scene to the courtroom and the venue's boardroom. A complex legal battle is brewing over how firearms were successfully smuggled into a venue that reportedly utilizes metal detectors and pat-down procedures.
- Venue Liability: Riverfront Live’s owner, Tim Jordan, stated he is "reassessing" the types of events the venue will host and is "diligently trying to find out" how security was breached.
- Privacy and Information: In a notable legal hurdle, police spokesperson Sgt. Anthony Mitchell declined to confirm if the suspects themselves were among those wounded, citing Marsy’s Law, a victim's privacy statute that is increasingly being used to restrict the flow of information in high-profile cases.
- Federal Charges: Given the suspects' status as "prohibited persons" in possession of firearms, federal prosecutors are expected to join the local felonious assault charges with significant federal weapons violations.
"Senseless Act of Violence"
Speaking via social media, the event's host, Jermaine Tandy (DJ Fresh), expressed devastation over the "senseless act" that ruined a night meant for "celebrating life." The shooting has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of existing gun laws, particularly for repeat offenders who manage to re-arm themselves shortly after release from prison.
For the residents of Cincinnati, the arrests of Cobb and Long offer a measure of relief, but the investigation remains active. As the FBI continues to review digital evidence from the night, the city is left to grapple with the reality that a private dispute can, in seconds, become a public tragedy.