Lante’ Hughes, a 23-year-old African American male from Columbus, OH, was tragically shot and killed on August 6, 2021. He was found in a parked vehicle at an east Columbus apartment complex, with multiple bullet holes riddling the car. The incident was described by Detective Scott Polgar as an execution, and the investigation revealed that Hughes had been involved with a group of friends who were more dangerous than he was used to.
Hughes had a history of legal troubles, as he was named a suspect in a $500,000 theft ring prior to his death. In November 2020, a Franklin County grand jury indicted Hughes and eight others for their involvement in the theft and drug trafficking ring. The case involved stolen mail, tax returns, and personal checks, among other fraudulent activities.
Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made in connection with Hughes' death. The Columbus Division of Police has launched a new video series called "The Unsolved Cases" to bring renewed attention to unsolved homicides, including Hughes' case. The series features interviews with detectives and aims to gather new evidence or leads that could help solve the case.
The investigation remains open, and anyone with information is encouraged to come forward to assist the police in finding justice for Lante’ Hughes.
