COLUMBUS – Columbus has tied its record high number of homicides after an overnight death became the 139th this year.
Aaron Fletcher Leapheart III, 37, was shot inside his apartment in the 1000 block of Olmstead Avenue at about 12:23 a.m. Tuesday, Sgt. Jeff Strayer of the Homicide Unit said.
Strayer say someone shot Leapheart through the back door of his apartment and that Leapheart ran through the apartment and outside into a courtyard before collapsing where officers found him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Anyone with information regarding this incident, is asked to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS.
The number of homicides in 2017 matches the record number set in 1991 and is about 33 percent higher than the 106 in 2016.
As a community, we need to treat each victim of violence as if they were members of our own families. We must share in the pain and grief, but more importantly, the responsibility to hold those responsible accountable. We cannot remain silent as those intent on destroying life continue to terrorize our neighborhoods. -statement by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther (Dec. 23, 2017)
Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs attributes the increase to more illegal guns on the street, the impact of the opioid epidemic, more shots being fired during crimes and people turning to guns to solve arguments instead of less lethal means.
Community activist Kwodwo Ababio says too many young people don’t understand the risk posed by guns.
The city’s homicide tally for 2017 includes a man who died on Thursday from injuries suffered when he was shot by a man he was holding up for drugs and money in 2014; the Dublin postmaster, slain at Columbus apartment complex on Saturday morning; a 41-year-old man killed in a shooting at the Dawghouse Bar on Lockbourne Road Wednesday night, and a 61-year-old man shot to death in the 2900 block of Cleveland Avenue early Friday morning.