Police identify man shot by officers after stabbing Thursday night

Cincinnati police have identified the man shot and killed by officers Thursday evening after a stabbing and chase. Investigators say Juan Mack, 48, stabbed a woman in Westwood before leading officers to Over-the-Rhine. He was shot after threatening police with a handgun.

During a press conference Friday, Chief Teresa Theetge released body camera footage. The officers can be heard ordering Mack to drop the gun and pleading with him. According to Theetge, Mack was shouting things like “I'm going to hell.” I have a body on me,” in reference to the stabbing.

A 911 caller on Parkcrest Avenue reported seeing a woman jump out of Blue Honda and run into her garage, followed by a man. He said the man stabbed her “10 times.”

Theetge said officers spotted the Honda and Mack covered in blood and tried to stop it.

“The police already knew he had stabbed a woman. They knew they had to stop him,” she says. “Then, as they engaged in a car chase, he pointed a gun at the pursuing officers. »

The vehicle chase ended at 12 noon.^th and Elm Streets when Mack got out of the car and began walking north.

Theetge said officers tried to use non-lethal force, but it had no effect. Four officers fired a total of six shots at Mack. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officers' names were not immediately released, Theetge said, citing Marsy's Law.

She offered her condolences to Mack's family, but called the officers' actions heroic, adding: “This had all the elements of a catastrophic incident.”

People flocked to Music Hall to attend the opening night of the Cincinnati Opera. Across the street was Washington Park, a popular spot during the summer months.

“That’s a good tactic about it,” she said. “Good tactics.”

Councilor Scotty Johnson, himself a former police officer, says it's tragic, but police did everything they could to end it peacefully.

“From what I saw, tactically, the police did everything they could,” he said. “And trying to preserve lives, firing 40-millimeter bullets, trying to prevent the use of lethal force, I think that speaks volumes. »

A sergeant used a non-lethal 40-millimeter projectile in an attempt to stop Mack, firing a total of three times. The first shot hit Mack. The second missed its target. The third was fired while the officers were firing. He was hit.

The stabbing victim was in critical condition as of noon Friday. His identity has not been released.