In a deadly shooting on December 6, 2025, 35-year-old Bobby King was killed shortly after 6:00 a.m. on the 2400 block of Westwood Northern Boulevard, close to an apartment building in Cincinnati’s Westwood neighborhood.
Officers from the Cincinnati Police Department arrived after receiving calls about gunshots and found King with a single gunshot wound to his upper body. Emergency personnel performed CPR at the location, but he was pronounced deceased a short time later. His death was recorded as the 98th homicide in the city that year.
The Cincinnati Homicide Unit’s inquiry led to the identification of 21-year-old Calvin Bowman of St. Bernard as the person believed responsible. Bowman was taken into custody that same night and faces a murder charge. Documents filed in court indicate the weapon believed to have been used was found at the scene. Investigators are still working to determine a motive, with some witness accounts pointing to a possible dispute outside the Renata Apartments.
Bobby King was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1990 and spent his childhood in various neighborhoods within Hamilton County. He attended area public schools, where he became interested in mechanical work. In 2012, he completed a vocational program in automotive repair at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, applying his practical abilities to a reliable job as an auto technician at a family-run repair shop in Westwood.
His family was very important to him. He maintained close relationships with his parents and two siblings, all living in the Cincinnati area. He lived in a modest home filled with tools and collectibles related to classic cars, which he worked on restoring during weekends. Though he was not married, he was an involved uncle to his niece and nephew, often hosting cookouts in his backyard to keep family connections strong despite his busy work life.
While dedicated to his profession, Bobby led a relatively private personal life. He managed lengthy shifts at the garage while sticking to a regular fitness schedule, which included early runs along trails by the Ohio River to help him stay centered. His pastimes showed a blend of usefulness and inventiveness: he repaired older bicycles for children in the area and enjoyed trying out new recipes on his grill, which he would then share at neighborhood gatherings.
Cincinnati is grieving another loss to gun violence, leading many to call for increased safety initiatives in residential communities. A private memorial service for Bobby is expected to be held later this week, where loved ones will pay tribute to his skill as a technician and his understated, considerate nature. Contributions made in his memory to vocational training programs at Cincinnati State could help future students pursuing careers in technical fields.