On the evening of July 6, 2026, a dispute over reckless driving escalated into a fatal shooting at the intersection of Old Leonard Avenue and Rose Avenue on the Near East Side of Columbus, Ohio. The victim was identified as 33-year-old Ernest LaQuaun Burley, a Black male. The incident began when Shawn Micheal Maxwell, 29, also a Black male, confronted Burley about road rage and reckless driving involving off-road vehicles.
According to police, Maxwell stopped his car because of a motorcyclist doing wheelies, and he exited his vehicle with a firearm to confront Burley. The confrontation quickly turned into a heated argument that ended with Burley being shot.
Columbus Division of Police officers were dispatched to the scene at 8:41 PM following reports of the shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Burley suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported by Columbus Fire medics to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:02 PM. Patrol officers apprehended Maxwell at the scene of the shooting. Homicide detectives investigating the case charged Maxwell with murder, and he was subsequently booked into the Franklin County Jail. During the investigation, Maxwell reportedly admitted to police that he fired his weapon because Burley had walked toward him, but also stated that Burley was unarmed.
In the days following the shooting, Ernest Burley's family expressed their shock and anger over the senseless violence. His cousin, Andrea Williams, described him as a kind and loving man and was baffled as to why something like this could have happened. On July 8, 2026, Shawn Maxwell appeared virtually in Franklin County Municipal Court for his arraignment, where his bond was set at $1.5 million. During the emotional hearing, Burley's mother, Jackie Simmons-Burley, directly addressed the judge, questioning why her son was killed over an argument. The case against Shawn Maxwell is ongoing, with his next court appearance scheduled for July 17. The investigation continues, with detectives seeking any further information from the public regarding the incident.
