Aljuanta Counts, a 24-year-old African American male from Columbus, OH, tragically died on July 8, 2020, from multiple gunshot wounds. Counts was found in the 3100 block of Ruhl Avenue near the Africentric Early College campus after police were called to the scene at around 12:12 a.m. He was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries at 1:13 a.m.
Shannon Weaver, a 21-year-old co-worker of Counts at DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, was charged with murder in connection with Counts'
death. Weaver was not in police custody at the time of the incident. According to court documents, Weaver claimed that he felt threatened by Counts during a brief altercation that occurred just before the shooting. Weaver eventually turned himself in to the authorities.
In August 2022, Shannon Weaver pled guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter with a firearm specification. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Richard Frye sentenced Weaver to a prison term of 14 to 19½ years. Weaver's defense argued that he shot Counts in self-defense, believing that Counts was reaching for a gun, although no firearm was found at the scene.
The case drew significant attention, with several family members of Counts speaking in court, urging the judge to impose the maximum sentence. The judge ultimately ordered the confiscation and destruction of Weaver's firearm.
The tragic death of Aljuanta Counts and the subsequent legal proceedings have left a lasting impact on both his family and the community. The case highlights the complexities and emotional toll of violent altercations and the legal system's response to such incidents.
