Columbus police urge public to provide info on Short North mass shooting, keep track of kids
Columbus police are pleading for the public to come forward with any information they have about the mass shooting early Sunday in the Short North that wounded 10 people, including two juveniles, and are asking parents to be aware of their children's whereabouts.
As of mid-afternoon Monday, police had one suspect in custody who has been charged with obstruction of justice after leading police on a high-speed chase in a white Honda Civic at speeds up to at least 109 mph on Interstate 670 westbound. The suspect turned himself in Sunday night.
'This cannot be a police issue only'
Columbus police First Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts said "the shooting could've been worse" and commended the actions of officers who responded to the chaotic scene around 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the Short North. In the same breath, Potts also asked parents, guardians and community members to "know where their children are" and pointed to the issue of access to guns combined with a lack of de-escalation skills and brash decision-making leading to guns being drawn.
"This is a gun problem," said Potts. "(Columbus police) officers were present and engaging with people. The issue is brazening unaccountability for criminals. We can't out plan someone's behavior."
In a similar tone, Deputy Chief Smith Weir said the public needs to help police with information that can identify suspects and show that gun violence will not be tolerated in the city.
"It is incumbent to show suspects that Columbus will not tolerate this," Weir said.
After going through a list of previous mass shootings from 2023 to this year, Weir pointed out that mass shootings have occurred at night clubs and after-hours clubs where a combination of guns, alcohol, and arguments lead to gunfire.
"This cannot be a police issue only," Weir said.
Despite the latest shooting, police officials emphasized that they believe the city and specifically, the Short North, are still safe. Police officials encouraged residents to visit, shop, and eat, calling Sunday's mass shooting an "outlier."
When asked how Columbus police will try to prevent future shootings, Potts said that they will continue doing what they have been doing, which includes adjusting and rotating the working hours of officers so they can be out on patrol later and collaborating with community and city organizations, such as Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children and the city's Office of Violence Prevention.
Police also will continue to try and encourage youth to participate in safe activities to keep them off of the streets, Potts said, and utilize the division's gang unit to identify criminals who are known to carry firearms.
Bond set for driver of car that fled mass shooting and police
Ten males, including two juveniles, age 27 and younger were injured in the 1100 block of North High Street at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. All are expected to survive, police said.
A suspect in the shooting has already appeared in court. Deangelo Fuller, 19, of Groveport, faces charges of obstructing official business. Fuller drove away from the mass shooting scene in a white Honda Civic, traveling the wrong-way on a city street and hitting speeds of at least 109 mph on Interstate 670 westbound while police tried to pull him over, according to court records.
Police have not said whether Fuller is suspected of firing any of the shots. At his first court hearing Monday morning, his bond was set at $100,000.
Potts told reporters that police have recovered surveillance video and shell casings, but would not comment on any additional evidence they may have, citing the ongoing investigation.
Columbus police have not said if they have interviewed any of the 10 victims, but typically police would have interviewed as many as were able to talk to them depending on their medical situation.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'This cannot be a police issue only,' Columbus police say of violence
