COLUMBUS – Police say the man suspected of shooting two people to death after a confrontation at a Franklinton homeless shelter late Thursday night is in jail.
UPDATE 7/16/22 7:02 a.m.: This story has been updated to include the arrest of the suspect and the identities of the victims.
Christopher Smith was arrested at 10:57 p.m. Friday in the area of Sullivant and Warren avenues and was taken to the Franklin County Jail, Sgt. Edward Powell III of the homicide unit said.
Smith was wanted on two counts of murder in connection with the fatal shootings of a man and woman at the Van Buren Shelter in the 500 block of Van Buren Drive just before 11:00 p.m. Thursday, Powell said.
Police said Rodney Reavish, 40, and Amanda Perkins, 36, died after being shot following a confrontation at the shelter.
Detectives named Smith, 34, a suspect based on reports from members of the community and video obtained at scene, Powell said.
Officers were dispatched to the scene at approximately 10:56 p.m. found the man and woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead by Columbus and Franklin Township emergency personnel shortly after 11:00 p.m., Powell said.
The victim’s names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, Powell said.
These are the 69th and 70th homicides in Columbus this year.
UPDATE 7/16/22 7:13 a.m.: Man shot to death on East Side
Police have not named a suspect in the shooting death of an unidentified 46-year-old man Friday.
UPDATE 7/18/22 6:29 a.m.: The victim in this homicide has been identified as Reynard Reed, 46.
Officers responding to a reported shooting in the 700 block of Lilley Avenue at 4:56 p.m. found the man lying on the sidewalk in front of a hone suffering from a gunshot wound, Sgt. David Shimberg of the homicide unit said.
Officers administered first aid but the victim died later at a local hospital.
The initial investigation indicated that the man was involved in a fight which might have led to the shooting, Shimberg said.
The vicitm’s name was being withheld pending notification of his family.
This was the 71st homicide of the year in Columbus.