A juvenile was injured in a shooting near Linden-McKinley STEM Academy in Columbus late yesterday afternoon amid reports of an altercation. Officers from the Columbus Division of Police were dispatched to the scene shortly after receiving calls about a fight but initially found no evidence of a disturbance. It wasn't long before a second call came in reporting a shooting at the intersection of Duxberry and Cleveland Avenues, just a block from the school, according to WBNS.
The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital in stable condition. The incident, which forced Linden-McKinley STEM Academy to recall students mid-dismissal, occurred close to the school around 2:50 p.m., as detailed by The Columbus Dispatch, this occurred as students exited the building. Subsequently, the school was placed on a Level II lockdown, "Students were in the dismissal process but were called back into the building after gunshots were fired," Columbus City Schools Chief of Staff Mike DeFabbo said in a statement obtained by WBNS.
Authorities have not released information about a suspect at this time. Mike DeFabbo clarified that the injured juvenile was not a student at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy, and no students from the school were harmed during the shooting incident, according to information from The Columbus Dispatch. Officials were seen notifying their safety and security personnel, and the lockdown was eventually lifted at 2:58 p.m.
At the scene near Dresden Street and Duxberry Avenue, medics assisted with the wounded juvenile. Columbus Division of Fire medics responded swiftly and managed to transport the victim to the hospital, with their condition being described as stable, "Medics took the person to Nationwide Children's Hospital in stable condition," ABC6 reported. So far, no suspects have been taken into custody, and the investigation remains ongoing as local law enforcement officials continue to piece together the events that led to the shooting.
The Columbus Police Felony Assault Unit is currently seeking information from the public. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is encouraged to contact the authorities at 614-645-4141 or submit a tip to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
