Jeffrey Scott Amaker, a beloved father, son, and brother, was known for his warmth and thoughtfulness. Born on May 12, 1987, the 39-year-old Columbus, Ohio, man was a cherished family member and friend whose sudden passing left his loved ones heartbroken. A fundraiser organized for his children described how deeply his loss was felt by all who knew him as they tried to navigate the devastating and unexpected tragedy.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 4, 2026, a dispute in the
parking lot of a lounge in East Columbus turned fatal. Columbus Police officers were called to the Prime Ultra Lounge in the 900 block of Barnett Road at approximately 2:15 a.m. for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds. The preliminary investigation revealed that the two victims had been involved in a physical altercation with a suspect in the parking lot. Following the fight, the suspect retrieved a handgun and shot both men.
Both victims were rushed to Grant Medical Center in critical condition. Jeffrey was pronounced dead at 2:47 a.m. The second man was also hospitalized with serious injuries. The shooting was the 62nd homicide in Columbus in 2026. Investigators quickly released a description of the suspect, a Black male standing about 5-foot-5, who was seen wearing all-black clothing, including a sweatshirt with the word "Think" in white letters across the chest. He was seen fleeing the scene, heading north on Barnett Road in a gray or silver four-door vehicle, later identified as a 2007 Toyota Avalon, which had a rear spoiler and damage to the passenger side of the rear bumper.
The Columbus Division of Police asked the public for assistance, and with the help of tips, they identified the suspect as 32-year-old Michael Rashawn Wells. The vehicle used in the incident was recovered the next day, on October 5. Detectives filed charges of murder and felonious assault against Wells, who was considered armed and dangerous. An arrest warrant was issued, and his photo was distributed to the media.
On Friday, October 9, five days after the shooting, Michael Rashawn Wells surrendered to authorities at Columbus Police headquarters. He was taken into custody and booked into the Franklin County Jail. Wells was arraigned the following day, and his bond was set at $2 million. On October 21, a Franklin County grand jury indicted Wells on multiple charges, including one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, and one count of felonious assault. His case was then bound over to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Family and friends gathered to celebrate Jeffrey's life on Monday, October 19, 2026. A visitation was held at the Chapel of Peace - East, followed by a funeral service at the same location. An online fundraiser was created by the mother of his children to help the family with the unexpected financial responsibility of funeral arrangements during their time of immense grief.
The case against Michael Rashawn Wells is proceeding through the court system as of October 2026. Anyone with additional information about the incident was asked to contact the Columbus Police Department at 614-645-4545 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
