Garland W. Willoughby, a 28-year-old Black male, tragically died on February 12, 2014, in Columbus, OH. He was shot multiple times in an apartment at the Wedgewood Village complex on February 11, 2014, and was pronounced dead at Mount Carmel West hospital the following morning. Willoughby had burst into the apartment, where he was shot by an unknown assailant who followed him inside.
A 4-year-old girl who was present in the apartment managed to escape through a window and was found safe.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight when police responded to a 911 call from a woman screaming "My daughter!" and indicating that someone had been shot in her house. Willoughby had previously survived a triple shooting in 2010, which left him wounded but alive. Despite surviving that incident, he did not survive the second shooting.
As of the time of the incident, police had not identified any suspects, and no arrests had been made. The case remains unsolved, and the Columbus Police Department's Homicide Cold Case Unit continues to seek information to bring justice to Willoughby's family.
Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots, and police were informed that Willoughby did not live at the complex but spent time there. The investigation faced challenges as no witnesses came forward, and the community was warned about potential dangers to first responders in the area.
The tragic death of Garland W. Willoughby highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in Columbus and the importance of community cooperation in solving such cases. The police department continues to urge anyone with information to come forward to help solve this case and provide closure to Willoughby's family.
