On the evening of January 7, 2017, 35-year-old Black male Karim F. Underdown was fatally shot in Columbus, Ohio. At approximately 9:15 p.m., the Columbus Division of Police received a report of a shooting near 1251 Simpson Drive. Responding officers found Karim Underdown lying in the street in front of the address. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at 9:29 p.m.
Karim Underdown, described as a 6-foot-3-inch, 160-pound Black male with black hair and brown eyes, was a father of four. His family and friends remember him as a loving and caring individual who would have done anything for anyone. The neighborhood where the shooting occurred was typically quiet, and residents were shocked by the incident. One neighbor recalled hearing what sounded like an entire magazine from a semi-automatic weapon being unloaded.
Despite ongoing investigations, no arrests have been made in connection with Karim Underdown's murder. The case remains unsolved, and authorities continue to seek information from the public. In an effort to encourage leads, the family, in conjunction with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS.
Karim Underdown's death was one of the early homicides in what became a record-setting year for Columbus. In 2017, the city experienced 143 homicides, the highest number on record at that time. The majority of these victims were Black males, with a median age of 29. The increase in homicides was attributed to factors such as the opioid epidemic, gang violence, and easy access to firearms.
The Columbus Division of Police continues to investigate Karim Underdown's case as part of their cold case unit. They urge anyone with information to come forward to help bring justice to Karim Underdown's family and to hold those responsible accountable.
