Cincinnati schools close, city on alert as jury deliberates in police shooting

CINCINNATI – Law enforcement and city officials are on alert and some schools are closing as people in Cincinnati await a verdict in the murder trial of a white former police officer in the fatal shooting of a black man during a traffic stop last year.

Police and emergency response agencies have activated the regional operations center to monitor and share information on the situation as jurors deliberated a second day Thursday in the trial of Ray Tensing, who’s charged with killing Sam DuBose in July 2015.

Two Catholic elementary schools closed Thursday, and at least one high school canceled afterschool activities. Archdiocese spokesman Dan Andriacco says individual schools are taking precautions.

Cincinnati Public Schools’ spokeswoman says the district is “in constant communication” with authorities. Its schools are operating normally.