A Sunday evening shooting at an east-side Columbus apartment complex left a teenager wounded and police searching for another teen who ran off before officers arrived. First responders found the victim at the scene and rushed them to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Officers later said the teen had been upgraded to stable, while neighbors watched a heavy police presence settle in as detectives worked what they described as an active scene. Authorities have not released the names of anyone involved or provided a suspect description.
Scene and response
Officers were called to reports of gunfire at the apartment complex at 1871 Forest Oak Lane, where they secured the area and began collecting evidence. A responding Columbus police officer confirmed the victim, believed to be a teenager, was taken to a local hospital and initially listed in critical condition before being upgraded to stable, according to WSYX/ABC6.
Context on youth violence
City officials and the Columbus Division of Police have in recent years stressed both outreach and prevention in response to rising youth-involved violent crime, trying to balance traditional enforcement with community programs that target teen gun violence. Reporting by WOSU Public Media details the city’s push to drive down youth crime after a spike in 2023.
What police are asking of residents
Investigators say both the victim and the suspect are believed to be between 14 and 17 years old, and the suspected shooter is still on the run. The investigation remains ongoing, and the scene is still considered active, per WSYX/ABC6. Anyone with information, video, or images is urged to call the Columbus Division of Police non-emergency line at (614) 645-4545 or Columbus Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-8477, according to the City of Columbus. Detectives have also asked neighbors to steer clear of the area while investigators finish processing the scene.
