William Evans IV, a 23-year-old African American man from Columbus, OH, tragically died on September 1, 2015. He was involved in a burglary attempt at a home on the East Side of Columbus when he was shot by the occupant of the house. Evans and his accomplice, Christopher Gould, forced their way into the house armed with handguns. The homeowner, a woman who was alone with her baby, confronted the intruders and fired her gun after hearing the back door being forced open.
Evans returned fire before collapsing on the kitchen floor.
Gould fled the scene but was later arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, and discharging a gun into a home. Gould pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The court reduced the murder charge to involuntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement. The woman who shot Evans was not injured and did not face charges.
Evans' family has maintained that he was not a robber and that he went to the house to confront the occupant about disrespecting the mother of his child. They remember him as a sweet and helpful young man who was always willing to lend a hand.
The case drew significant attention in Columbus, with the community mourning the loss of a young life and grappling with the circumstances surrounding his death. The incident highlighted the dangers of home invasions and the complex legal and emotional aftermath for all parties involved.
