Ricardo Mercado-Garcia, a 32-year-old Hispanic male, tragically lost his life on October 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. He was driving his pickup truck southbound on South Grener Avenue near the intersection with Frost Avenue in Prairie Township when an unknown individual in a dark-colored car opened fire on his vehicle. Mercado-Garcia was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the truck managed to escape and seek help from a nearby home.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the homicide. Detectives from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation were also involved in the case. Despite their efforts, no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting as of early Tuesday following the incident. The sheriff's office urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward and contact their Detective Bureau.
The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m., and a neighbor reported hearing gunshots and seeing a pickup truck crash into a privacy fence. The investigation continued as authorities sought to identify the suspects and gather evidence to solve the case.
Mercado-Garcia was remembered fondly by his family and friends. He was a skilled carpenter, painter, remodeler, tiler, and handyman who took pride in his work and always had a smile on his face. He enjoyed spending time with his girlfriend, Ruby, and loved the nightlife, concerts, dancing, rodeos, lowriders, and carne asadas with family. His passing was a significant loss to his loved ones and the community.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office continued to investigate the case, hoping to bring justice for Ricardo Mercado-Garcia and provide closure for his family.
