Police say at least four suspects were involved in Short North mass shooting
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus police are releasing new information about the investigation into Sunday's mass shooting in the Short North. Assistant Police Chief LaShanna Potts said police now believe there were at least four shooters involved.
They are still working to identify those suspects and are asking for the public's help. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther spoke for the first time on camera Tuesday about the mass shooting. The shooting left 10 people injured. Two of the victims were under the age of 18.
“It's critically important that we remain vigilant,” Ginther said.
The mayor is making a plea for the public to speak up with tips and also to be a part of the solution.
“The police cannot solve gun violence by themselves. We need everybody else in this community to step up. We had a couple of teenagers that were struck at 2:30 in the morning. You know, we need parents to step up and do their part, know where their children are, know who they're hanging out with, monitor their social media, put in place and impose a curfew at your home,” Ginther said.
Columbus police said they believe there are at least four shooters involved based on the shell casings found at the scene. Sunday night, a 19-year-old turned himself in, identifying himself as the driver of the getaway car. NBC4 asked Potts if this person gave any information about the other suspects. She said she cannot say much since it is an ongoing investigation.
Potts said there were 16 officers working in the Short North at the time of the incident.
“It's a very open and active investigation. So we're looking at all of our leads, tips, cameras," Potts said.
As of now, Columbus city leaders have not made any policy changes in response to the mass shooting. A little more than a year ago there was another mass shooting in the Short North where 10 people were also shot. This incident sparked major policy changes from city leaders.
Betsy Pandora, the Executive Director of the Short North Alliance, said they are meeting with Columbus police Tuesday night to discuss what else can be done to improve safety.
“We really want to make sure that people have the opportunity to share feedback. And it's so important because there's so many people that have had an opportunity to experience some of these things," Pandora said.
Pandora said as the more facts unfold in the investigation this may lead to next steps.
Columbus police said overall violent crime is down, but the one outlier is an increase in mass shootings. This was the 12th mass shooting in Columbus since the beginning of 2023.
NBC4 asked the mayor about this trend. He placed much of the blame on state leaders' lax gun laws.
“We can continue to invest and we're going to continue to work at this work. And, you know, we have to be vigilant, but it shouldn't be easier to get a gun than a job in the state of Ohio. And so what we need is leadership,” Ginther said. “And if we're not going to get that leadership of folks who are afraid to act at the state and federal level, at least get out of our way and let us do what we know we need to do to protect children and families, visitors in our city.”
The ATF is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in this case. Columbus police said those who have information should contact police right away.