On November 22, 2019, Nicholas Hudson, a 20-year-old male from Batavia, Ohio, was tragically shot and killed at the On The Green at Royal Oaks Apartment complex in Pierce Township. The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. at 304 St. Andrews Drive. Hudson was visiting the apartment complex with his friend, Jeffrey Hutchins, 24, when they were both shot by Craig Walker, 25.
According to Walker, he was selling marijuana to the victims when he overheard someone in the car saying they were going to rob him. Walker then retrieved a handgun and placed it in his pocket, claiming he needed to protect his "gold" and his family. When the victims came to the door, Walker let them in, but the situation escalated, leading to the shooting.
Walker claimed he did not mean to shoot Hudson, but his finger was on the trigger when Hudson began punching him. Walker then dragged one of the victims out of the house, and he is unsure how the other made it outside. One of the victims was already dead in front of the apartment, and the other died later at the University of Cincinnati Hospital. Walker was arrested near the wood line behind the building at 306 St. Andrews Drive and was charged with two counts of aggravated murder. He was held on a $1 million bond and faced a preliminary hearing in Clermont County Court.
The tragic incident highlighted ongoing issues at the apartment complex, which had also been the site of another murder earlier in the year. Detective Bill Brewer was killed in February during a standoff with Wade Winn, who was later sentenced to life in prison as part of a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. The community and the victims' families were deeply affected by the loss, with Hudson's mother describing him as a charismatic young man with a kind heart.
The case against Craig Walker continued to unfold as the legal system sought justice for Nicholas Hudson and Jeffrey Hutchins. The investigation revealed that Walker was suspected of being under the influence of drugs at the time of the shooting. The Pierce Township Board of Trustees, police, and fire chiefs worked with the complex owners to address the issues and improve safety measures.
In summary, Nicholas Hudson, a 20-year-old male, was shot and killed on November 22, 2019, in Pierce Township, OH, during an altercation involving Craig Walker, who was charged with two counts of aggravated murder. The incident occurred at the On The Green at Royal Oaks Apartment complex, and Walker was held on a $1 million bond. The case highlighted ongoing safety concerns at the apartment complex and the devastating impact on the victims' families.
