An attempted robbery-turned-shooting at a Cincinnati-area auto shop last week claimed the life one of Ohio’s most well-liked drag racers at the age of 63.
Joe “Papa Joe” Leach, a longtime racer and owner and operator of Leach Brothers Automotive in North College Hill, passed away on Friday from internal injuries he suffered when he was shot in the back during an attempted robbery at his business on January 5. According to North College Hill Police, the suspect, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, entered Leach’s business at the corner of Simpson and Galbraith Avenues in the afternoon hours and held him up at gunpoint demanding cash. Leach attempted to flee from the intruder, but was fired upon once in the back.
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The gunman left the scene and was captured on surveillance cameras as he fled, quickly disappearing from view. Local police still have not identified a suspect in the case.
Said the Leach family via a GoFundMe account set up last week to help offset Joe’s mounting medical costs:
My sister’s husband was shot yesterday. He was held up at gunpoint where he runs his own business “Leach Brothers Automotive”. His name is Joe Leach (aka. Papa Joe). The robber shot Joe in the back and the bullet excited out his stomach. . If you’re a business owner, you can relate to the horrific results this cowardice act has created. Joe is the corner stone of his family in Ohio. If you’ve ever done any bracket racing you may have heard of “Performance Motorsports and Machine”. Papa Joe is a life-long bracket racer and always helped anyone he could at the track. Seeing his family race is his biggest joy in life.
httpv://youtu.be/UwxZKets0e4
Police believe the gunman was local and had likely been in or in the area of Leach’s business previously.
The Leach family has received an outpouring of support from the racing community, many of whom thought of “Papa Joe” as family. His family and peers considered him a “redheaded Santa” or an adopted uncle, and many stories have circulated illustrating Leach’s good-hearted, do-anything-for-anyone nature — even offering to perform repairs on IOU’s for customers down on their luck.
The life of Leach, who the family says “hated funerals”, will be celebrated Saturday, January 16 in Hamilton, Ohio, with services to take place at 4 p.m.
North College Hill Police urge anyone with information regarding the case to call 513-521-7171 or CrimeStoppers at 513-352-3040. A reward of $5,000 has been issued for the assailant, who is considered by Police armed and dangerous.
Photo credit: Joe Leach Family
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