Cincinnati firefighter arrested in connection with double shooting at bar

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A Cincinnati firefighter accused of shooting two people outside a local bar made his first court appearance Wednesday.

Mack Ogletree, who has been with the Cincinnati Fire Department for just over a year, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

Ogletree denied the charges against him at his arraignment.

He was arrested by Colerain Township police officers on Tuesday, more than a month after the shooting, as he reported for an overtime shift.

“The defendant was involved in an altercation at the 629 Bar; at some point the defendant left the room and retrieved a firearm from his vehicle,” said Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Dani Ferris.

Ferris said Ogletree then pointed the gun at the victim.

“The victim responded by retrieving a firearm and the two fired at each other until over 20 shots were fired,” Ferris said.

Prosecutors said Ogletree shot the victim in the head and also shot an innocent bystander who was sitting in her car.

“She was hit in the arm. The last time I checked, the bullet was still in her arm,” Ferris said.

His attorney asked for a low bail, citing Ogletree's lack of prior contact with the court.

“He lives with his fiancée, is a stay-at-home husband, father of two children and a graduate of St. Joseph's College in Indiana,” said defense attorney Richard Wendel.

The judge set Ogletree's bail at $50,000 and $25,000 for each count of aggravated assault. Prosecutors will now present Ogletree's case to the grand jury for review.

Both victims are expected to recover. The innocent bystander, who is still recovering, said this was her second time being a victim of gun violence. Thursday marked the seventh anniversary of the first shooting in which she was involved.

Ogletree is currently on unpaid administrative leave while both the criminal investigation and an internal review by the Cincinnati Fire Department are completed.

A statement from the ministry said:

“The CFD requires its members to uphold the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty. Our primary focus remains the safety and well-being of the community we serve, and our commitment to maintaining the trust and respect of citizens remains unwavering.”

The ministry declined to comment further, citing ongoing legal proceedings.