Cincinnati Reflects on 25 Years Since Civil Unrest After Fatal Police Shooting

The 2001 killing of Timothy Thomas sparked days of protests and a curfew that reshaped policing in the city.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A realistic oil painting depicting a lone police car parked on a dimly lit street corner in Cincinnati, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the scene, capturing the somber and reflective mood of the 25th anniversary of the 2001 unrest.A quarter-century after the unrest, Cincinnati continues to grapple with the legacy of the 2001 police shooting that sparked days of protests and a curfew.Cincinnati Today

Twenty-five years ago, Cincinnati imposed a curfew amid four days of civil unrest following the April 9, 2001, police shooting of Timothy Thomas. Residents and officials reflected on the unrest, its causes, and its lasting impact on policing in the city.

Why it matters

The 2001 unrest in Cincinnati was a pivotal moment that exposed longstanding tensions between the Black community and law enforcement. The events reshaped policing practices and highlighted the need for greater transparency, communication, and community-oriented approaches to address systemic disparities.

The details

In April 2001, the police shooting of Timothy Thomas, a 19-year-old Black man with outstanding warrants for minor offenses, sparked four days of protests and civil unrest in Cincinnati. Large crowds took to the streets, leading to chaos, fires, and violence. The city imposed a curfew to restore order, but the events left a lasting impact on the community and policing practices.

  • On April 9, 2001, Timothy Thomas was shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer.
  • The four days of civil unrest and protests in Cincinnati followed the shooting on April 9, 2001.

The players

Robert Pace

Formed the Cincinnati chapter of the Black Panther Party in 2001.

Victoria Strong

Co-founder of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for Justice.

Dan Hils

Former Cincinnati police sergeant who oversaw the K9 unit at the time of the unrest.

Iris Roley

Project manager for the Cincinnati Black United Front working on the city's Collaborative Agreement in 2001, now a consultant on the agreement.

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What they’re saying

“April 9, 2001, Timothy Thomas was shot down right around the corner in the alley. Was shot by the police because he had outstanding jaywalking tickets.”

— Robert Pace, Formed the Cincinnati chapter of the Black Panther Party in 2001

“In some ways, we felt like it was a very hostile environment. Some were denying that they knew anything about the fact that this was a powder keg. Others just said, 'Let's get back to normal.' And I think that was the straw that broke the camel's back.”

— Victoria Strong, Co-founder of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for Justice

“I remember fires. I remember a victim who got pulled from his vehicle and pummeled.”

— Dan Hils, Former Cincinnati police sergeant

“I remember the unity of people. I remember people being confused and perplexed about what was actually happening and why being shot at by police, the rubber bullets, the disregard of folks in their pain.”

— Iris Roley, Project manager for the Cincinnati Black United Front in 2001, now a consultant

What’s next

City officials and community leaders continue to work on implementing reforms and addressing longstanding disparities to prevent similar unrest from occurring in the future.

The takeaway

The 2001 unrest in Cincinnati was a pivotal moment that exposed deep-seated tensions between the Black community and law enforcement. While policing practices have evolved since then, significant work remains to address systemic inequities and build trust between the community and police.