New Incident Puts El Paso’s Cincinnati Street in the Spotlight

I’m starting to think El Paso’s Cincinnati Entertainment District needs a limpia.

Bring out the egg. Grab the sage. Call your tía. Whatever method your family swears by for getting rid of bad energy, I’m willing to try it at this point.

Because Cinci cannot seem to catch a break lately.

And I say that with love! I spent plenty of nights partying on Cincinnati Street when I was in college. For generations of UTEP students and young El Pasoans, it’s been one of the places to go when you wanted a night out.

But lately, hearing “Cincinnati” in the news hasn't exactly meant drink specials and a fun Saturday night.

El Paso’s Cincinnati Entertainment District Has Seen Better Days

Okay, I’m about to sound approximately 100 years old here: back in my day, Cincinnati Street didn’t have this much trouble!

But yeah, it did.

Cinci was absolutely not some peaceful utopia when I was partying there. There were fights. There were police calls. There were serious incidents. Putting a bunch of college students and bars within walking distance of one another has never exactly been a recipe for perfect behavior.

But I genuinely don't remember hearing about this many troubling incidents surrounding the Cincinnati Entertainment District in such a short amount of time.

Over the past year, the area has repeatedly found itself in the headlines for reasons that have nothing to do with having a good night out.

In September 2025, for example, El Paso police responded to a chaotic confrontation at a bar in the district that ended with two arrests. Police said officers arrived to find somewhere between 30 and 40 people yelling outside the business.

Unfortunately, that wouldn't be the last troubling headline tied to the area.

Recent Incidents Put El Paso’s Cincinnati Area in the Spotlight

This is where the joking about a limpia gets a little more serious.

In July, a confrontation at the Walgreens at 2800 N. Mesa Street ended with 32-year-old Christopher Brandon Steven being shot. He later died at the hospital, and a 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder.

Police said the confrontation began over a parking space before continuing inside the store. And that one didn’t even start after a night of drinking or partying!

And now, another serious incident has happened in the area.

On Saturday night, a driver in a red Chrysler 300 reportedly lost control while driving recklessly near Mesa and Baltimore, hitting several pedestrians. Some suffered serious injuries, and the driver reportedly fled the scene on foot. Leaving the area looking like this:

At this point, Cinci really could use some better headlines.

Cincinnati Street Could Really Use Some Better Vibes

Obviously, burning sage isn't going to solve violent crime, reckless driving or public safety concerns.

The “limpia” part is a joke. The troubling incidents aren't.

And maybe that's why this recent run of headlines feels especially disappointing.

For a lot of us, Cincinnati Street is attached to memories. Maybe you partied there during college like I did. Maybe you still go out there. Maybe your Cincinnati era ended a long time ago and your current idea of a wild Saturday night is staying awake past 10.

No judgment. I'm getting there too.

But Cincinnati has been part of El Paso's nightlife identity for years, and there's still plenty happening in the district that doesn't involve police tape or flashing lights.

I’d just really like to start hearing more of those stories again.

Until then, though, if anybody has an extra egg and some sage... Cinci might need them.