COLUMBUS – A spate of gun violence in Columbus continued for a fifth day Tuesday, when a 51-year-old man was killed at a North Side barber shop.
Columbus homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying a person of interest in the fatal shooting of Lawrence Jefferson at a barber shop the in the 5000 block of North Meadows Boulevard just after noon, Sgt. Eric Pilya of the homicide unit said.
Detectives would like to identify this Person of interest in the fatal shooting of Mr. Lawrence Jefferson at the barbershop on North Meadows Blvd this afternoon. Anyone with info should Call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit: (614)645-4730 or Detective T. Kelley: (614)645-0907. pic.twitter.com/gMJyfwN2D5
— Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) April 26, 2022
Four men and two women have been killed in separate shooting incidents since Friday, bringing the total number for the year so far to 37, well behind the pace being set at this time last year, when Columbus saw a record number of murders.
There were 64 homicides by April 25, 2021, according to assistant chief Greg Bodker of the Columbus Division of Police. There were 35 homicides in the city during a comparable period in 2020 and 36 in 2019.
Officers responding to a reported shooting at the Executive Barber Salon at approximately 12:04 p.m. found Jefferson, who was pronounced dead at scene by Columbus Division of Fire paramedics at 12:12 p.m., Pilya said.
The preliminary investigation determined that a man wearing a black ball cap and sunglasses entered the business and spoke with the victim.
The two walked out of the shop and witnesses reported hearing gunshots. The suspect left on foot and remains at large, Pilya said.
The investigation continues.
Anyone with information regarding this incident, or any other homicides, is asked to call the homicide unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).