In the late afternoon of January 27, 2026, the life of James C. Pettigrew Jr., a 31-year-old Black man, was tragically cut short on the streets of Columbus, Ohio. The incident unfolded in the South Central Hilltop neighborhood, a community that would soon be marked by the memory of this violent act. Pettigrew, known to his loved ones as a funny and energetic father of two, found himself in the 500 block of South Richardson Avenue when the sound of gunfire shattered the day's calm.
Columbus Division of Police officers were dispatched to the scene around 3:20 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Pettigrew suffering from a serious gunshot wound. Emergency services rushed him to Grant Medical Center in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical staff, James Pettigrew succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 3:53 p.m. His death left a void in the lives of his family, who now face the daunting task of raising his children without their father.
In the wake of the shooting, the Columbus Police Homicide Unit launched an investigation into Pettigrew's death. As of now, authorities have not publicly identified any suspects, and no arrests have been made in connection with the case. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, leaving both the community and Pettigrew's grieving family searching for answers. Detectives are actively seeking information from the public and have urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has security footage from the area to come forward. The family of James Pettigrew continues to hold out hope for justice, pleading for anyone with knowledge of the crime to break their silence and help bring closure to this devastating loss.
