COLUMBUS, Ohio — A suspect was arrested after one person was shot during a robbery near The Ohio State University early Sunday morning, according to the Columbus Division of Police. Officers are searching for a second suspect who authorities say was the shooter.
The robbery happened around 2 a.m. in the courtyard of the Gateway Shopping Center on East 11th Avenue near North High Street, according to a public safety notice issued by the university.
Franklin County Municipal Court records state that the victim sat at a table with his head down when the two suspects approached him. The suspects took the victim's backpack off of him while he was sleeping and ran away. The victim started chasing the suspects.
Court records say one of the suspects pulled out a handgun and shot the victim in the left foot. Both suspects then headed east toward a nearby parking garage.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where their condition was described as stable. Police said the victim was not a student, faculty or staff member at Ohio State.
Officers arrested one of the suspects involved in the robbery: 18-year-old Skyler Steward. Court records say he was taken into custody at the Kroger on North High Street in the Short North Arts District.
Steward had an outstanding warrant from the U.S. Marshals, according to court records. Following his arrest, he admitted to detectives about taking part in the robbery but said he was not the one who shot the victim.
Steward is charged with aggravated robbery and is being held in Franklin County jail.
Police say the suspected shooter was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white lettering on the front and black shorts. He also has a possible tattoo on his leg. Police provided a photo of the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Columbus police at (614) 645-4545.