Thursday, August 19, 1999
Shooting victims ask for prayers
Police tracing gun used in attack, suicide
BY AMY CAPPIELLO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Family portrait shows Paul and Diane Smith, center, and daughters Amanda, left, and Megan.
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EDGEWOOD — The family caught in the middle of Tuesday's harrowing shooting and suicide thanked supporters Wednesday.
“As a family, we have drawn strength from each other,” read the statement from the Paul Smith family. “Knowing so many people care so much will help to strengthen our first steps toward an emotional and physical recovery. Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.”
On Tuesday morning, 30-year-old Kevin Paul Smith entered the Edgewood home of his family in defiance of a restraining order and shot his parents. His father, Fidelity Investments executive Paul Smith, was shot several times.He was listed in serious condition at University Hospital on Wednesday. Kevin Smith's mother, Diane, was wounded in the leg and was in fair condition Wednesday at St. Elizabeth South.
After shooting his parents, Kevin Smith turned the gun on himself. He was dead when police arrived around 7 a.m. One of his sisters, Amanda, a 1998 graduate of Scott High School, was at home when the shooting occurred but was not injured. Another sister, Megan, was not home during the shooting.
The Rev. Robert Wehage, pastor at St. Pius Catholic Church where the Smiths are members, said the family is handling the tragedy as well as can be expected. “I think they've got a lot of support, and they've gotten lots of offers of counseling,” he said.
Edgewood Sgt. Tom Niehaus said the department is looking into Kevin Smith's medical records from previous stays in hospitals for psychiatric problems to help confirm that he acted alone in shooting his parents.
Police have also submitted the 9mm Smith & Wesson's serial number to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to determine whether he bought it from a gun dealer. If he did not, police may go back to the original owner of the gun and try to trace its path to his hands.
Sgt. Niehaus said that after police finished collecting evidence from the home Tuesday, Fidelity employees went in to clean up the shooting scene.
“Our company has made available our services and support to the Smith family in any shape, way or form,” Fidelity spokesman Kevin Canafax said.
Funeral arrangements are pending for Kevin Smith.Neighbors are also trying to plan a prayer service for the family, Father Wehage said.
The Smiths have requested that, because of the injuries Paul Smith suffered, concerned persons donate blood in the name of Paul and Diane Smith at Hoxworth Blood Center. Call 451-0910 to set up an appointment.
Donations be made to a charity of choice in Paul and Diane Smith's names. Cards can be sent to Paul Smith, c/o Fidelity Investments, 100 Magellan, Covington, Ky., 41015.
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