Emergency crews made a grim discovery Monday morning near downtown Columbus, where a man's body was found in the Olentangy River with a gunshot wound. According to an ABC6 report, a 911 caller first reported seeing the body at around 8 a.m. just off Nationwide Boulevard.
Responding officers found the man and pronounced him dead at the scene. Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert stated, according to ABC6 news, "The man had a gunshot wound to his body," and an investigation is underway with the Franklin County Coroner’s Office to determine if the wound was self-inflicted or if this is a case of homicide. It was noted that it didn't appear that the body had been in the water for an extended duration.
Further details emerged from a The Columbus Dispatch article which indicated that the deceased had suffered a single gunshot wound to the head and was pulled from the river, face down, near Lower.com Field. The body was found between the field and the river's banks, an area bisected by the branching of the Olentangy from the Scioto River.
As reported by WBNS, the Columbus Division of Police's dive team is currently searching the river for a firearm or any additional evidence that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding the man's death. Investigations by the coroner's office and the Columbus Police Homicide Unit are ongoing to determine the cause of death, with Sgt. Albert said they do not seem to believe the body had been in the water for a long period.
This incident has prompted a thorough examination by local authorities, and further information will be shared with the public as the investigation progresses. No additional details regarding the man's identity or potential suspects have been released at this time.
