Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of Joshua Ervin (DOB 2/15/89) for the August 17th murder of Neko Larkin. Ervin is charged with 1 count of Murder (Special Felony), 2 counts of Felonious Assault (Felony 2) and 1 count of Weapon Under Disability (Felony 3). If convicted of all charges, he faces the possibility of life in prison.

Larkin was riding home from work at approximately 9:00 p.m. on the North Avondale Metro Bus when Ervin and a still uncharged suspect fired multiple shots at each other that went into the bus in the area of 900 Dana Avenue. Larkin was killed on impact and one other rider was injured. The bus driver immediately drove to the University of Cincinnati Hospital.

Larkin was pronounced dead at University Hospital as the result of a gunshot wound to the head. The Hamilton County Coroner ruled his death a homicide as a result of the gunshot wound.

The other Metro passenger was not seriously injured.

Hamilton County Assistant Chief Prosecutor Stacey DeGraffenreid commented, “Ervin and another still uncharged suspect were shooting at one another when the Metro bus driver stopped at a bus stop to pick up a passenger. Unfortunately, Larkin, who was coming home from work and had nothing do to with Ervin’s gun fight, was struck and killed.

The death of innocent people in our community due to gunfire is senseless and unacceptable.”