COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police responded to three separate shootings all within an hour of each other around the Columbus area Thursday evening — a man and woman were killed and three other people were injured.
All three shootings are still under investigation.
“Anytime there’s a shooting that happens in Columbus it’s a large concern because they are just happening more frequently,” said Jennifer Chamberlain, Chair Far East Area Commission.
Chamberlain said the way to help solve gun violence is through outreach to youth and parents. In the fall, her organization is partnering with two other east side groups for non-violent communication training for six weeks.
“We are going to be working as commissioners with our family ambassador in the city schools and with families that they pick and choose to go through the program. It's an outlet for you to take one step back and not react quickly to a situation. To not let the situation escalate to the point when violence occurs."
With all of the violence in one night, Chamberlain said everyone plays a role in solving the issue. She hopes to see more done by the city of Columbus.
“I would like to see the city possibly step up and provide more resources that can go directly and work directly with the community. And that’s closer to the community."
The first incident took place on the city’s northeast side in the Northern Woods neighborhood.
A preliminary ruling from the Franklin County Coroner’s Office revealed the manner of death for a man and woman shot and killed as a murder-suicide.
Officers with the Columbus Division of Police received a call of a shooting in the 5300 block of Valley Lane East in Columbus' Northern Woods neighborhood around 6:15 p.m. When they arrived, they found 23-year-old Ali Dirir and 22-year-old Asia Mussa who were reportedly shot outside.
Mussa’s death was listed as a homicide while Dirir’s was a suicide.
A police investigation revealed that Mussa and Dirir were seated in a parked vehicle when Dirir allegedly shot Mussa. He then turned the weapon on himself, according to police.
Both were taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Mussa was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Dirir was pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m.
In Gahanna, officers were called to a shooting on Interstate 270 at Hamilton Road at 6:26 p.m.
According to a spokesperson with the City of Gahanna, a 25-year-old man was taken to Mount Carmel East hospital in critical condition after shots were fired into his vehicle.
The spokesperson said that another passenger in the vehicle was grazed by a bullet and taken to a nearby hospital in what is described as “stable” condition.
No information has been released on a possible suspect or what led up to the shooting.
Two lanes were closed on I-270 while police investigated the scene.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Gahanna Division of Police at 614-342-4240.
Police said the victim of another shooting in the city’s Far East side called 911 at 7:04 p.m. after reportedly being shot.
It’s unclear where the shooting happened, but first responders located the victim in the 6000 block of East Main Street after they drove away from the incident.
They were taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital in what is described as “stable” condition.
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