The accused shooter appeared in municipal court one day after the Christmas morning attack that injured a mother and two children.
CINCINNATI — A 58-year-old man accused of opening fire on a car with a mother and two children inside on Christmas morning appeared in court Friday, where a judge set bonds totaling $900,000. His attorney told the court the man acted in self-defense.
Police said the shooting happened just before 3 a.m. on Dec. 25 at Central Avenue and Kindel Avenue in the West End. Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert found a 36-year-old woman and her 10- and 15-year-old children wounded inside a vehicle. All three were taken to hospitals and are expected to survive. Detectives arrested James Brown later that day and charged him with three counts of felonious assault. The arrest followed a search for a suspect vehicle and hours of evidence collection at the scene.
At Friday’s arraignment, prosecutors said Brown fired into the car, striking the woman and both children. The defense countered that someone in the car shot first and that Brown returned fire. The judge set bond at $900,000 and scheduled the case for grand jury review by Jan. 5. Court records show earlier assault cases involving Brown and the same woman that were dismissed in prior years. Police also noted Brown’s prior arrests for assault-related offenses. Officials have not released a motive and have not confirmed the current relationship between Brown and the victims.
Neighbors said they woke to arguing and then gunfire in the quiet minutes after midnight turned morning. One resident described hearing at least eight shots and a car horn blaring until officers arrived. The victims’ SUV, riddled with bullet holes and shattered glass, was towed for forensic processing. Police said there were no 911 calls before the response and asked residents to share any home or business video from around the intersection.
The West End, a dense neighborhood west of downtown, has seen 19 shootings this year, five fewer than this time last year, according to city data cited by police. The case has drawn attention because both children survived and because of the timing on a major holiday. Community leaders said the rapid arrest provided some reassurance while families nearby cleaned up debris and checked security cameras for clues. Hospital officials said the mother remained at UC Medical Center while the children were treated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Brown is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center. Prosecutors are preparing the case for presentation to a grand jury by Jan. 5, which will determine whether the charges advance to common pleas court. Detectives plan additional interviews and a review of digital evidence from the area. Police said further updates will be released after the charging decision.
Author note: Last updated December 26, 2025.