A nearly decade-old killing in South Linden is back in the spotlight after a Columbus woman was arrested and charged in the 2016 slaying of Darrin Mitchell. Authorities say 47-year-old Lashonta Sullivan is accused in connection with his death.
Arrest and court date
According to NBC4, Sullivan was taken into custody on April 19 and charged with Mitchell's murder. A judge set her bond at $500,000. She is scheduled for her next appearance in Franklin County court on April 30, 2026, the station reported.
How the 2016 killing unfolded
City records show officers were called to 1561 Duxberry Avenue at about 1:42 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2016. When they arrived, they found Darrin F. Mitchell unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Medics rushed him to Grant Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:18 a.m., according to the Columbus Division of Police cold-case archive. The cold-case entry notes there were no known witnesses to the shooting and lists the incident under file number 2017-0099.
Witnesses later told investigators that Mitchell had been banging on a front door for five to 10 minutes before he was found. NBC4 reported that Sullivan told police Mitchell had left to go to a bar and then returned home. The Franklin County coroner told NBC4 that Mitchell "would have been unconscious almost immediately" after the shooting and that irreversible brain injuries can occur within four to six minutes.
Investigative effort and community context
Columbus officials have adjusted how they investigate shootings in recent years, particularly in neighborhoods that see frequent gun violence. An 18-month pilot program focused on South Linden and Milo-Grogan increased solve rates for nonfatal shootings, city leaders told WOSU. Officials say the team-based strategy has helped detectives follow up on long-dormant leads and file hundreds of charges in violent crime cases.
Legal next steps
Sullivan is charged with murder and remains in custody on the $500,000 bond. Pretrial proceedings and any potential indictment will move forward in Franklin County courts. Her next scheduled appearance is April 30, 2026, and court filings are expected to be available through the county clerk.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers, according to the city's cold-case archive. The division's cold-case pages include guidance on how to submit tips and list contact information for investigators.
