Todd Ellis Lancaster, a 45-year-old male of African American ethnicity from Columbus, Ohio, was tragically shot and killed in his home on April 13, 2018. He was the youngest son of Clarence Hoby Lancaster and Shirley Amanda Tippitt, and he is survived by six children and five grandchildren. Lancaster was a small business owner and an avid fan of Ohio State University.
On October 19, 2018, Hasani Lateef Goosby Jr., a 21-year-old man from South Linden, Columbus, was arrested and charged
with Lancaster's murder. Goosby was taken into custody by the Columbus Police SWAT Team without incident. According to police reports, officers found Lancaster shot and barely alive when they responded to a report of gunshots at 4715 Larkhall Lane. Lancaster was taken to Grant Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 11:59 a.m. Witnesses identified Goosby as the shooter.
Goosby was given a $1.5 million bond in Franklin County Municipal Court and was due back in court on October 30, 2018. He had a prior criminal record, including charges of improperly handling a firearm and drug trafficking. The case drew significant attention from the local community and law enforcement, as Lancaster's death marked the 25th homicide in Columbus, Ohio, in 2018.
The investigation into Lancaster's death involved multiple law enforcement agencies and led to the arrest and charging of Goosby. The case highlighted issues of gun violence and the impact on families and communities in Columbus. The legal proceedings against Goosby continued as the community sought justice for Lancaster's untimely death.
