COLUMBUS, Ohio — It was an emotional Sunday evening for the family of Jacob Coons as they stood at the bar where their loved one’s life was taken to recount his legacy and continue to seek justice in Jacob’s case.
“This is my only son, this is my heart. You know how hard it is to walk into a house and him not be there," said Jacob's mother, Misty Hall.
It's been three weeks since Jacob was shot and killed at Charley's Place in Franklinton.
“I don't sleep, since Jacob got killed. I’ve been doing my very best," said Hall.
The Columbus Division of Police identified the suspect as Duron Thomas Sr. and issued a warrant for his arrest. He has been charged with murder.
According to court records, witnesses say Jacob and Thomas got into a fight during a game of pool. After the two were separated, records say Thomas pulled out a gun and fired it multiple times, striking Coons and a second person.
“You can’t bring nobody back when you do some coward stuff like that, take somebody's life from them, playing with the guns. You know what I mean, there’s no waking up from that,” said Jacob’s father, Randy Coons.
Thomas has not yet been arrested.
“That's not self-defense. You weren’t in fear of your life. You murdered somebody and in America when you murder someone, you answer for that,” said Jacob’s sister, Brookelynn Dyer.
The family says Jacob, a father of five, was an incredible man who cared deeply for his loved ones.
“You knew that he would protect you, that you were fine. He was very much a protector, a lover,” said Dyer.
The family is pleading for anyone with information about Thomas' whereabouts to come forward.
“You're looking at his five babies saying, 'I want my daddy back.' How do explain to a 4-year-old that he’s never gonna see his daddy again,” said his Hall.
Police are asking the public to call them at 614-461-8477 if they have any information.