COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 16-year-old boy is facing charges in connection to the shooting death of a father-to-be at a west Columbus gas station two months ago.
The shooting happened just before midnight on Dec. 13 at the Sunoco gas station located at 2725 West Broad St.
Police originally charged David Johnson with shooting and killing Andrew Combs, but those charges were dropped. Johnson's brother, Dreyton Johnson, was arrested on Feb. 17.
“As soon as I found out, I was like wow. My baby started kicking too,” said Victoria Perez, Combs' pregnant girlfriend.
Columbus police said Combs was inside the gas station when he tried to stop an armed robbery. The suspects turned the gun on Combs.
“All I saw was a guy with a black ski mask on shoot Andrew more than five times,” Perez said, who was in the car when the shooting happened. Combs died in her arms.
In April 2021, Columbus police said David got into a fight and killed a man. While out on bond in that case, David's 1-year-old son died from an overdose, according to the Franklin County Coroner's Office. He was charged in the child's death.
David was released from the Franklin County jail due to a clerical error and was then arrested for Combs' death before the charges were dropped.
“I already knew who it was when they said it wasn't David. It's just the fact that people knew that it wasn't David and it was his little brother and they didn't come forward,” Perez said.
David's brother, Dreyton, is facing murder and aggravated murder charges.
Perez is 29 weeks pregnant and is preparing for the baby Combs will never meet. Perez said it gives her peace that there has been an arrest.
“He can finally rest in peace and get the justice he deserves,” Perez said.
Murder charges have also been filed against 16-year-old William Armstead Jr. in the case. He is not in custody.
Columbus police are still working to identify a third suspect.
