COLUMBUS, OH – On Sunday, June 20, 2021, at 3:37pm,, Columbus Police Officers were called to 2000 block of Walnut Hill Park Dr. on a report of a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers found 43-year-old Jason Keys suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Keys was transported to Mount Carmel East Hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced deceased at 4:19 pm.
Keys and his wife were attending a Father’s Day party at a family member’s home. As Keys and his wife were leaving, a neighborhood dispute erupted. During this dispute, several people produced firearms, including Keys. 24-year-old Elias Smith, who was not involved in the dispute, heard arguing and fired several shots at Keys from his home, fatally wounding him.
Smith then retreated inside his home and refused to come out prompting a response by SWAT. Smith was arrested and charged with Murder for causing Keys’ death.
Anyone with information regarding this incident, is asked to contact CPD’s Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or ralemmon@columbuspolice.off or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).