Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Vigil held near site of Avondale shooting
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
As police searched Tuesday for the killer of an Avondale landlord, about 200 people gathered in a vacant lot across the street from the victim's house and searched for answers through prayer.
Police Capt. Michael Cotton, District 4 commander, who attended the prayer vigil along with 10 other police officers, said a warrant has been issued for Christopher Rolle of Bond Hill in connection with the shooting death of James Edward Hillman Jr. of Evanston.
Mr. Hillman, 32, was found dead of a gunshot wound March 8 behind the building he owned in the 3500 block of Burnet Avenue. Police said Mr. Hillman had tried to get loiterers to move off the back porch as he began renovating the building.
“We have one main suspect,” Capt. Cotton said. “There may be others involved, but we think Rolle pulled the trigger.”
Turning to the vigil, Capt. Cotton said: “This is welcomed community support.”
"A lot of work to do'
Traffic moved slowly on Burnet Avenue under a bright sun as civic leaders, police, ministers and residents gathered around a wreath in the vacant lot.
Many wept openly as Eula Hunter, who owns a business three doors from the scene of the shooting, led the group in singing “Amazing Grace.”
Mrs. Hunter, who lives on nearby Forest Avenue, said the vigil was just the beginning of what needs to be done.
“We have a lot of work to do,” she said. “This was a senseless and sad killing. It needs to be stopped.”
About 10 ministers ech oed Mrs. Hunter's feelings as they took turns praying. The ministers were led by the Rev. Aaron Greenlee, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference and pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in Silverton.
“Fear has taken over,” the Rev. Mr. Greenlee said. “Parents are afraid of children. Citizens are afraid of police. We as ministers are taking this issue to the altar of prayer.”
The Rev. Mr. Greenlee also referred to the latest Avondale fatal shooting, which occurred early Tuesday: “Lord, please don't let this city become a killing field.”
"A hard-working man'
Mr. Hillman's sister, Karen Hillman of Madisonville, said the shooting had nothing to do with drugs.
“My brother was a hard-working man, and he did everything to make things better” for his 6-year-old son, Chad, she said.
“My brother worked at the Cincinnati Country Club and took care of the property he owned. He did it because he wanted his son to grow up and own property. He was teaching his son how to care for property.”
A landlord's role
Tom Jones, chairman of the Avondale Public Safety Advocate Group, said Mr. Hillman was doing something many landlords were doing in trying to upgrade property.
“He was setting an example of what we need in Avondale,” said Mr. Jones, who helped organize the prayer vigil and has been in the forefront in fighting crime in Avondale.
“We just hope this killing is a turning point in Avondale,” Mr. Jones said.
Support from chief
Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher, who attended the vigil, said the gathering showed how much the residents cared about the community.
“Our job is to respond to what the residents want. They are our bosses,” Chief Streicher said.
Chief Streicher said a police substation, in same block where the shooting occurred, is an example of how the police are moving into the area to help stop drug peddling and other crimes.
Mr. Jones' organization has worked with police in conducting drug sweeps on Burnet Avenue.
His group is calling for another surveillance camera to be installed near Burnet and Rockdale avenues. A camera installed there last year was torn down by vandals.
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