On Saturday, May 23, 2009 Cincinnati Enquirer reporters Jane Prendergast, Carrie Whitaker and Dan Horn reported a tragic story of a murder-suicide in the East Price Hill neighborhood. The story published is as follows:

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Last Updated: 6:13 am | Saturday, May 23, 2009

Cops: Argument preceded murder-suicide

By Jane Prendergast, Carrie Whitaker and Dan Horn • jprendergast@enquirer.com | cwhitaker@enquirer.com | dhorn@enquirer.com • May 23, 2009

EAST PRICE HILL - A woman and her boyfriend, found dead Saturday in their Wells Street home had been arguing, police say.

Ronnique Burton, 37, was shot in the head shortly before 3 p.m. by her boyfriend, Michael Jarrell, 48.

Burton was found lying on the floor of a second-story bedroom in the Wells Avenue house. Jarrell was also found lying on that bedroom floor. Both had single gunshot wounds to their heads.

Police said Jarrell shot Burton, then turned the gun on himself.

A neighbor called 911 after one of Burton’s children came over and said a man had shot Burton and was still inside the house with her. The SWAT team was called. One of the SWAT members rescued a small child.

Burton worked at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College as of February, according to a traffic ticket that requested she write down her place of employment. She received a $1,000 scholarship to the college last year from VISIONS Community Services, an early childhood education agency.

Lt. Col. Vince Demasi said none of the children who lived in the home appeared to have been hurt, though the youngest child was being evaluated. A member of the SWAT team carried the child, who is believed to be about 2 years old, out of the house after officers went inside and found the bodies.

“It’s a very horrific scene in there,” Demasi said. “We have no motives, just a very unfortunate situation. Very tragic.”

Neighbors said several children ran from the home after the incident began. They went to a house across the street and the resident there called police.

Some neighbors said they often saw the man and the children playing outside in their yard with other kids from the neighborhood. They said the man was polite and talkative, and the couple showed no signs of a combative or violent relationship.

“He was so nice. He would be so active with his kids, throwing balls and running around,” said Debbye Powello, who lives in an apartment across the street. “He seemed to be a very nice man.”

Randy Gray, who lives a few doors down, said he spoke the man several times and he seemed to get along fine with everyone.

“They were just real nice people,” Gray said.

In response to the tragedy, Executive Director, Marcia H. Simmons, submitted a letter to the editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer to describe Ronnique, the mother. Her letter is as follows:

The tragic news of the murder of Ronnique Burton this past weekend compels me to write this letter.

We first met Ronnique five years ago when she and her youngest son enrolled in VISIONS Community Services. She was a student at Cincinnati Cooks with dreams and plans for her future and the futures of her children. She excelled in the training program.

From there she enrolled in the Midwest Culinary Arts Institute at Cincinnati State. Again she excelled. She worked at The Summit, the restaurant at the college. She would have graduated this month. She had plans to complete a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Cincinnati. Her goal was to open her own catering business.

Ronnique received a scholarship from our agency. In her application she wrote,” In awarding this scholarship to me I assure you that I will use it to obtain the knowledge I need to become self-sufficient by becoming an entrepreneur (providing jobs to others) and to leave a legacy for my children and their children.” Her application also had two glowing letters of recommendation from staff at Cincinnati State.

All the years we knew her she demonstrated her love and caring responsibility for her children. She made sure they attended school, had after school activities to keep them busy, helped with their homework, took them to the library to use the computers, plus everything necessary to keep her household together and thriving.

This month was to be the celebration of her graduation and the launching of her catering business. Instead this month we will lay to rest a woman who worked hard to provide a better life for herself and most of all for her children.

Several years ago she chose an African name for herself: “Mawusi”, which means “in the hands of God”. We know she is there. We pray for her children!

Marcia H. Simmons
Executive Director
VISIONS Community Services

Please keep Ronnique and her children in your prayers.