COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police opened an online portal in hopes of receiving information from the community on Saturday’s shooting that left three men dead.
The shooting happened around East 5th Avenue and Summit Street between the Italian Village and Weinland Park neighborhoods early Saturday morning.
Two men were pronounced dead at the scene while the third was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Police identified them as 27-year-old Malachi Pee, 18-year-old Da’ondre Bullock and 26-year-old Garcia Dixon Jr.
Three other people were injured in the shooting. One of them was listed in critical condition at the hospital.
Police said witnesses were cooperating with detectives, but police did not provide additional information on what led up to the shooting. Investigators unveiled the online portal on Tuesday in hopes of getting possible information and evidence.
Columbus police say they have received some cell phone video of the shooting, but say they still need witnesses to come forward to help solve this shooting.
“This situation was very tragic not only for the victims themselves and the families, but even people who live in the area and the businesses around it,” said Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua. “There's a lot of trauma from last summer and a lot of events that happened in that specific area. We are working hard to minimize any major incidents.”
Founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children Malissa Thomas-St. Clair said the violence gives her motivation to do more.
Her group’s initiative, “Under Triple Digits,” hopes to keep Columbus’ homicide number below 100.
“How do we start to look at this data for the preventative end? We can't be reactive anymore. If we are reactive, that means something has already happened,” Thomas-St. Clair said. “We want to prevent and we want to start lessening the intervention and get footing on the prevention.”
Thomas St-Clair said, especially during the summer months, one way to try to prevent shootings like last weekend's is for business owners to be more engaged.
“The community dialogue team is not there to enforce, they are there to have the conversations, be present, they are present in blue vests, disarming,” she said. “We have measures in place that businesses can use so that if business owners feel there is heat coming on and they are not quite sure if they can do it on their own, reach out to some of us.”
Columbus police are still investigating last weekend’s shooting and say they have received some videos through a QR code on the division's website.
“If any of these people were involved were your family you would want justice for them, also you would want that person off the street because we know when people engage in violent behavior this is typically not their first time,” Fuqua said.
Through the link on the division’s website, neighbors can anonymously send tips and/or evidence regarding the deadly shooting. Detectives are asking anyone who has photos and videos to submit them. You can access the link here.
Anyone with information can also call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 (TIPS).