Robert Lester, a 52-year-old man from Columbus, Ohio, was tragically killed on July 25, 2022. Lester was found with a gunshot wound to the head in the parking lot of Livingston Market in the Driving Park neighborhood. According to police reports, Lester was initially shot in the Hilltop area and later driven to the East Side, where he succumbed to his injuries. The incident marked the 79th homicide in Columbus for the year 2022.
The investigation led to the arrest of Richard L.
Schoonover, a 49-year-old man, who was charged with Lester's murder. Police determined that Schoonover pulled up alongside Lester's vehicle, shouted at the occupants, and fired shots. It was also revealed that Lester may have attempted to purchase marijuana using a fake $100 bill. Schoonover was arrested on August 4, 2022, and held without bond. In July 2023, Schoonover was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the crime.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in Columbus and the efforts of law enforcement to address and prosecute such crimes. The community continues to grapple with the impact of these violent incidents, and the Lester family, along with others affected by similar tragedies, seeks justice and healing.
