Xenia Police are actively searching for a juvenile male suspect wanted in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday morning, July 22, 2026. The altercation took place in the 600 block of East Church Street in Xenia, Ohio, at approximately 4:58 a.m. According to law enforcement officials, the shooting was precipitated by an argument over a backpack between the suspect and the victim. Police confirmed that the suspect and the victim knew each other, though the exact nature of their relationship remains under investigation. The victim sustained a serious gunshot wound to the lower leg during the incident. Emergency responders, including medics, were dispatched to the scene where they treated the injured man before transporting him to a local hospital for further care. Sgt. Matt Cvitkovich of the Xenia Police Division stated that the motive appears to be linked directly to the dispute over the backpack. Investigators have reviewed new video footage capturing the emergency response and the subsequent search for the suspect in the neighborhood. Residents reported hearing sirens and seeing police activity early in the morning, with one neighbor describing the scene as frightening. The suspect is described as a teenage boy. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the suspect's whereabouts or the incident to come forward. The Xenia Police Division Criminal Investigation Section can be contacted at (937) 376-7206. Alternatively, tips can be left anonymously via the Xenia Police Division Tip Line at (937) 347-1623. The investigation is ongoing, and police continue to canvass the area for additional evidence or witnesses.