COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police has identified the man killed in a shooting that happened outside a Target store located near Easton Town Center.
The shooting happened just before noon at the store on Morse Crossing.
According to police, 21-year-old Abraha Ermias entered the store at 11:28 a.m. and made a purchase at the Starbucks.
Ermias exited the store and was waiting out front when another man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and gray or tan long pants approached him and shot him.
Police say the suspect left in a dark-colored sedan, possibly a Chevrolet Impala.
Medics arrived on the scene at 11:51 a.m. and Ermias was pronounced dead at 11:52 a.m., according to Sgt. James Fuqua.
Sgt. Fuqua said the shooting is an isolated incident and there is no risk to the public.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Columbus Police Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).
This latest death brings the total reported homicides in Columbus this calendar year to 175.
With still two months left in the year, Columbus has now tied its previous record for most homicides reported in the city in one given year. The last time Columbus police reported that many homicides was in 2020.
A spokesperson for Target sent the following statement to 10TV:
"Following a fatal shooting in front of our Morse Xing store in Columbus, we can confirm that all other guests and team members are safe, and that our security team immediately called 911 and secured the store. We appreciate paramedics and police officers for their fast response. The store will be closed for the remainder of the day as the Columbus Police Department investigates. Please refer any additional questions to law enforcement at this time."