Key Takeaways:
- A judge set a $5 million bond Thursday for David Estrada, 22, who is charged with murder in a fatal shooting in Columbus’ Hilltop neighborhood.
- Police said the shooting happened Tuesday evening in the 100 block of North Burgess Avenue. It was followed by a police chase that ended on U.S. 33 in Fairfield County.
- Ryan Ward, 27, died at a hospital about 36 minutes after officers found him with multiple gunshot wounds.
- Estrada has a preliminary hearing on Oct. 9. Charges are accusations, and he has not been convicted.
- Police arrested Estrada after the chase, and he is in the Franklin County Jail. Anyone with information can contact Columbus police.
Quick Facts:
What: A judge set a $5 million bond for a man charged with murder after a fatal Hilltop shooting and a chase into Fairfield County.
Where: 100 block of North Burgess Avenue, Hilltop, Columbus. The chase ended on U.S. 33 in Fairfield County, southeast of Lancaster.
When: Shooting Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at about 7:40 p.m. Bond set Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.
Who: David Estrada, 22 (charged); Ryan Ward, 27 (killed); Columbus police
Status: Under investigation; court case pending
Source: NBC4 Columbus
What Happened
Columbus police officers responded to the 100 block of North Burgess Avenue in the Hilltop at about 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, according to a police dispatcher. They found Ryan Ward, 27, with multiple gunshot wounds. Medics took him to a hospital, where he died at 8:16 p.m.
A 911 caller reported hearing gunshots and seeing a gray Honda drive away after an altercation between Ward and David Estrada, 22, police said. According to an affidavit, a person at the home told police that Estrada called Ward and asked him to come outside.
Estrada did not stop for officers, and a chase followed. It ended on U.S. 33 in Fairfield County, southeast of Lancaster, where police arrested him.
Police charged Estrada with murder Tuesday. A judge set his bond at $5 million Thursday.
What Officials Said
Columbus police said they identified Estrada as the suspect and charged him with murder. Police said Estrada was Ward’s former roommate.
Court proceedings show Estrada appeared in court Thursday for the first time since his arrest. His preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 9.
What This Means for Columbus Residents
The shooting happened on North Burgess Avenue near West Broad Street in the Hilltop. Police arrested Estrada after the chase, and he is in the Franklin County Jail. Police have said he is the suspect in the killing.
The case next goes to a preliminary hearing on Oct. 9. Residents who saw or recorded anything near the 100 block of North Burgess Avenue on Tuesday evening can give information to Columbus police. Murder charges are accusations, and Estrada has not been convicted.
What To Do
- Call 911 to report a crime in progress or an emergency.
- Give tips on this case to the Columbus Division of Police non-emergency line at 614-645-4545.
- Report tips anonymously to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
Columbus Frontline will update as more information becomes available.