COLUMBUS, Ohio — Some University District community members say they're worried for their safety after a double shooting over the weekend.
Officers with the Columbus Division of Police were called to the 400 block of East 13th Avenue, near the Ohio State Fairgrounds, on a report of a shooting Saturday night. When officers arrived, they found a victim, described as male, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Police also found a second male victim nearby in the 400 block of East 14th Avenue with gunshot wounds.
Both were taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition, police said. The victim found on East 14th Avenue was later pronounced dead.
A lot of college students live in the area and saw a heavy police presence outside.
“There were probably about eight police cars, two vans that took over and they closed this street [East 13th Avenue], and 14th,” said Sam Mckee, an Ohio State student.
Someone who did not wish to be identified told 10TV that she and her roommates heard screaming and fighting a couple hours before the shooting.
“I’m surprised something like that didn’t happen sooner," she said. "There’s been a lot of fighting going on down there recently. It’s just off-campus, cheap housing... you see what you see."
McKee said he was surprised to hear a shooting happened so close to where they live.
“I was very surprised, very scared considering how close the situation occurred to us and the activity that has followed it,” said Mckee.
Neighbors told 10TV that during the day it feels safe to walk around, but at night, it’s a different story. Mckee said he feels safe where he lives but hopes someone is arrested soon in connection to the shooting.
“You never really know who is coming from the back alleys. That is where the violence tends to happen at night,” said Mckee.
Mckee said he sees police in the neighborhood, but he feels like they could be more present.
“A lot of the time, they monitor these streets when it's daylight. I see them in the night [do] maybe one check. But, I feel like during the night would be more of the time to check,” said Mckee.