Police said three relatives were shot to death during a birthday gathering in Millvale.
CINCINNATI, OH — A Hamilton County judge set a $3 million bond Thursday for a 62-year-old man accused of killing three relatives during a birthday party last weekend in Cincinnati’s Millvale neighborhood.
James Lewis is charged with three counts of murder in the deaths of Kenneth Burton, 38, Theresa Dudley, 53, and Brenea Burton, 41. Police said the shooting happened about 10:45 p.m. June 20 in the 2200 block of Millvale Court. Cincinnati officers found all three victims with gunshot wounds, and Cincinnati fire crews pronounced them dead at the scene.
Lewis was arrested Wednesday by the Cincinnati Police Department’s Homicide Unit with help from the Fugitive Apprehension Squad. In court Thursday, Cincinnati Police Officer Sarah Cronin described the shooting as a “horrible, heinous crime” and said it began with an argument inside the home during a birthday party for one of the victims.
Cronin said two victims were shot inside the kitchen before a third victim tried to get away. “She then ran out, she was screaming for help,” Cronin said in court. “He chased her down and caught up to her and shot her.” Police identified the victims as members of the same family, including a brother, a cousin and the woman who was hosting the gathering.
Prosecutors asked for a high bond, citing the three murder charges and public safety concerns. A judge set bond at $1 million on each count, for a total of $3 million. Prosecutors also said Lewis had a prior aggravated robbery conviction from the 1980s and served 25 years in prison. Because of that conviction, prosecutors said, Lewis was not legally allowed to have a gun.
The shooting added to a violent weekend in Cincinnati, where police said four people were killed in separate shootings across the city. Mayor Aftab Pureval called the Millvale killings “a horrific act of violence” and said police had told city officials the case appeared to be isolated. Pureval said the city would use its resources to support the investigation and prosecution.
The case now moves through Hamilton County Municipal Court while Cincinnati homicide detectives continue reviewing evidence. Police have not publicly released a detailed motive beyond the reported argument at the party. Reports reviewed Thursday did not list an additional gun charge or a next court date for Lewis, and investigators said the homicide inquiry remains active.
Millvale Court was quiet after the shooting, but the case drew wide attention because three relatives were killed in one home during what police described as a family birthday gathering. Court testimony placed the violence first in the kitchen, then outside or away from the first shooting location as one victim tried to flee.
Lewis remained held at the Hamilton County Justice Center after the bond ruling. The next major step is expected to be further court action on the murder charges as police complete the investigation.
Author note: Last updated June 26, 2026.