In the late hours of July 13, 2026, the life of 43-year-old Aubra Chuck Groom was tragically cut short in Columbus, Ohio. He was discovered unresponsive on a sidewalk in the 2700 block of Brandy Drive, the victim of a fatal shooting. First responders arrived at the scene and transported him to a nearby hospital, but his injuries proved too severe, and he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
The incident left the community shaken and searching for answers.
The investigation into Groom's death quickly focused on identifying a suspect. A significant breakthrough came when homicide detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the area. The video evidence reportedly showed a man, later identified as 49-year-old Rickey Harmon, lying in wait behind some bushes. As Groom returned from a nearby store and walked towards his home, Harmon is said to have emerged from his hiding place, approached Groom, and shot him before fleeing the scene. This crucial piece of evidence led to a warrant being issued for Harmon's arrest on a charge of aggravated murder.
A week after the shooting, on July 22, 2026, members of the SWAT team located and arrested Rickey Harmon without incident. He was taken into custody and booked into the Franklin County jail. Harmon appeared for an arraignment hearing where a judge set his bond at $1.5 million. A preliminary hearing in the case was scheduled for July 31, 2026. The case against Harmon marks the next step in a tragic story of a life lost to violence, with the legal system now tasked with determining the final outcome and delivering justice for Aubra Groom.
