Breaking news, crime, public safety and city government coverage in Columbus, Ohio
Monsignor John Johnson, 77, a priest at St. Agatha Church, died Wednesday night after a car hit him at Tremont and Ridgecliff roads in Upper Arlington, according to the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. The suburb sits northwest of Columbus in Franklin County. Upper Arlington police said the crash happened Tuesday morning, Sept. 29, while Johnson … Read more
Key Takeaways: 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 … Read more
A Franklin County judge sentenced Jason Palmer, 38, of Columbus to life in prison Tuesday for the 2025 strangulation death of Columbus City Schools art teacher Rachel Prince, 46. Palmer can seek parole after 15 years, according to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Noble handed down the sentence Sept. … Read more
Key Takeaways: Quick Facts: What: A man pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a fatal stabbing near Ohio State University.Where: Alley near the 1700 block of North High Street, between East 13th and East 14th avenues, University DistrictWhen: Stabbing on Nov. 2, 2025, about 1:48 a.m.; guilty plea Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026Who: Joseph Gerich, 23, … Read more
Key Takeaways: Quick Facts: What: A Ross County court scheduled the trial of a man charged in a 2022 fatal house fire.Where: Ross County Courthouse, Chillicothe; the fire was on State Route 28 near Frankfort, about 50 miles south of Columbus.When: Hearing Monday, Sept. 28, 2026; trial set for Feb. 9, 2027.Who: Chase Daugherty, 38; … Read more
Key Takeaways: Quick Facts: What: Columbus police charged a 22-year-old man with murder after a fatal shooting in the Hilltop.Where: North Burgess Avenue near West Broad Street, Hilltop, Columbus; arrest at Old Logan Road and Blue Valley Road, Berne Township, Fairfield County.When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, around 7:40 p.m. (NBC4) or shortly after 8 p.m. … Read more
Key Takeaways: Quick Facts: What: A judge sentenced Jason Palmer to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Rachel Prince.Where: Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Columbus; the killing happened in the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive, Northwest SideWhen: Sentenced Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026; Prince died July 13, 2025Who: Jason Palmer, 38; Rachel Prince, … Read more
A federal grand jury indicted Tyler Thomas, 39, of Columbus on nine counts on Sept. 23. The charges relate to the disappearance and death of Hailey Buzbee, 17, of Fishers, Indiana, NBC4 Columbus reported. Buzbee’s family now wants the U.S. House to advance the HAILEY Act, NBC4 reported. The bill would let police issue Amber … Read more
A man is in critical condition after a stabbing at the Shell station on East Hudson Street, just off Interstate 71 in North Linden, early Tuesday. Columbus police detained one person at a nearby gas station, NBC4 Columbus reported. Police received the call at about 5:10 a.m., according to NBC4 Columbus. Officers found a blood … Read more
Key Takeaways: Quick Facts: What: A federal grand jury indicted a Columbus man on nine counts tied to Hailey Buzbee’s disappearance and death, and her family is pushing Congress to change Amber Alert rules.Where: Columbus (Thomas’s residence); Southern District of Ohio (federal case); Wayne National Forest, Perry County (where remains were found).When: Indictment announced Wednesday, … Read more