A Sunday pickup outside a neighborhood library turned terrifying on April 14 when a 12-year-old boy was swarmed and beaten by four teens outside the Linden branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, his mother said. Security-camera video shows the child surrounded and hit until he collapses to the ground, leaving parents and neighbors in Linden rattled and pushing for tighter supervision of local youth.
Security footage reviewed by local TV shows one teen walking up and punching the boy in the face while three others, who appear to be wearing masks, rush in and join the attack, according to ABC 6/FOX 28. The boy's mother, Jasmine Johnson, identified him as Demiyon and said he suffered a concussion. Columbus police told the station they are investigating and that the suspects' names are listed as "unknown" in the police report.
Johnson said her son is on the spectrum and that the assault has left the family feeling exposed. "I was devastated," she told the station, adding that she wants real accountability if kids are being targeted for no reason. Ralph Carter, founder of the neighborhood group We Are Linden, said incidents like this can "stem from boredom" and called for a stronger community "village" to look after local youth, according to ABC 6/FOX 28.
Library response and branch context
The Columbus Metropolitan Library said it takes safety and security very seriously and noted that the young man returned to the branch in the days after the incident, local reporting shows. The Linden Branch reopened earlier this year after a rebuild; the new two-level location at 2223 Cleveland Ave. opened in February, according to Columbus Metropolitan Library.
Neighbors and organizers push for prevention
Local organizers say the attack underlines a growing gap between the free time kids have and the number of safe, structured things for them to do. We Are Linden runs youth programming and outreach in the neighborhood, according to We Are Linden, and city officials point to more than $28 million in recent investments in youth programs as part of a broader effort to keep young people engaged, per the City of Columbus.
Johnson said she wants parents to know where their kids are and who they are spending time with, while neighbors say they hope the assault pushes the community toward more after-school supervision and safer gathering spots. Police are asking anyone with information or additional footage to contact investigators as Linden looks for answers and some sense of security outside its rebuilt branch.
