COLUMBUS – Concerned parents and Democratic political leaders gathered on the step of the Ohio Statehouse yesterday to call on the Republican-controlled state legislature to enact what they call “common-sense” gun laws.
Columbus has recorded nearly 90 homicides this year, most the result of gun violence and Jene Patrick – of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children – said the group wants state lawmakers to take action.
“Our children have to go to school and be worried about being gunned down. Our children cannot go to the parks and play freely and feel comfortable,” she said.
“Our children don’t even know what it’s like to be children anymore,” Patrick said.
Democratic Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther says universal background checks for gun purchasers, “red flag” laws and a reinstatement of the requirement to carry concealed-weapon permit would help curb gun violence.
Suspects sought in deadly shooting
Columbus police are looking for people to help them identify two men they believe are responsible for the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man on the Northeast Side early Friday.
Nasier Reed was unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound in the 400 Block of Tompkins Street at
approximately 1:55 a.m. by officers responding to a shooting, Sgt. David Shimberg of the Columbus police Homicide Unit said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation determined that the men were involved in a fight prior to the shooting, Shimberg said.
Detectives are attempting to locate persons of interest to assist in identifying the suspects, Shimberg said.
The incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).