17-year-old hospitalized after shooting in Elsmere, juvenile charged

Elsmere Police say a 17-year-old boy was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after suffering a single gunshot wound to the head on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.

Police have identified the shooter as another juvenile who was acquainted with the victim and is cooperating with the Elsmere Police Department's investigation.

According to a release from the Elsmere Police Department, investigators believe the juveniles involved were showing a 9mm handgun to others during a group FaceTime call when the shooting occurred. Investigators are working to identify the other people in the FaceTime call.

The shooting occurred on Garvey Avenue. The victim remains in critical condition.

Anyone who has video of the shooting or was part of the FaceTime group call is asked to contact Detective Darrell Caldwell by calling the Kenton County Emergency Communication Center at (859) 356-3191 or the Elsmere Police Department at (859) 474-4785.

The juvenile suspect has been charged with assault, 2nd-degree, for wantonly causing serious physical injuries with a deadly weapon. Because the suspect is a juvenile, no further information will be released, pursuant to Kentucky law.

Elsmere Police were assisted in the investigation by the Kenton County Police Department's Evidence Collection Unit. Erlanger Police and Edgewood Police assisted in the initial response.