John Edward Habern III, a 29-year-old male from Columbus, OH, tragically passed away on June 29, 2019, at Grant Medical Center. He was an employee of the former Columbus Steel Castings and is survived by his wife Amber Habern, daughters Jani'Ya and Chyann Habern, sons Maynerd Jr. and John IV, mother Linda Habern, sisters Shareda and Johnetta Habern, and brothers Theo Calloway, Tyron Dowell, James, and John Forney.
The cause of his death was due to multiple gunshot wounds sustained
during an altercation. On July 29, 2019, Darez Ricardo Duff, 18, was indicted on two murder charges for shooting and killing his cousin, John Edward Habern III. According to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Ron O'Brien, Duff pulled out a handgun during a family argument and shot Habern III multiple times before fleeing the scene. Duff was 17 at the time of the incident and was bound over to adult court. He has been in custody since the shooting and was set to be arraigned on March 6, 2020.
Additionally, Darryl Ricardo Duff Jr., 20, was also arrested and charged with murder in connection with the incident. The shooting occurred after a physical altercation between Habern and Darryl Duff, and witness statements indicated that Darez Duff approached Habern and fired several shots, fatally wounding him. Both Duff brothers fled the scene in a vehicle but were apprehended shortly afterward by patrol officers.
The investigation into the fatal shooting is ongoing, and the Columbus Police Homicide Unit continues to seek any additional information regarding the incident. The case has drawn significant attention due to the familial relationship between the victim and the suspects, as well as the tragic nature of the event.
John Edward Habern III's death has left a profound impact on his family and the community, and efforts to seek justice for him continue through the legal proceedings against the accused individuals.
