Columbus police are conducting a homicide investigation after three women were discovered deceased inside a residence on the city's south side yesterday afternoon. The call, which was initially received as a report of a medical event at a home on the 1300 block of South Ohio Avenue, turned out to be a scene of violence when the bodies were found at around 3:50 p.m., per a statement obtained by WBNS.
Upon their arrival, officers contained the scene, and medics pronounced the three women dead at 4 p.m., as Sgt. James Fuqua confirmed this in an interview with The Columbus Dispatch. The link between this incident and another fatal shooting that transpired less than a half mile away just four days earlier is being investigated. Darrell Hambrick was the victim of the previous shooting, and he had historical ties to the South Ohio Avenue residence.
Law enforcement has no suspects in custody as of Saturday evening. "This time of year — anytime of the year it's unfortunate when someone loses their life, but particularly this time of the year during the holidays it's going to be very difficult for these victim's families to come to the grips that these family members will no longer be in their lives," Fuqua said, speaking to WBNS. A city dispatcher originally informed WBNS that the call came in as a shooting, a detail later echoed across reports.
As detectives worked through the evening, grappling with the complexity of the scene, the community reeled from the shock of the violence. A resident, Jeff Frentz, told NBC4I, "Other than car accidents, a couple of those out here, but nothing this traumatic. So, yeah, that’s kind of a shocker." Further adding to the tragedies unfolding, the names of the women have not been released pending family notifications.
Authorities urge anyone to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or anonymously through Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477). An active search for suspects and motives behind this heinous crime continues as the community seeks answers and the families of the victims face an unimaginable holiday season without their loved ones.
