A call to police in the early hours of a Friday morning led to the discovery of a teenager whose life had been cut short by gunfire on the East Side of Columbus, Ohio. DeMontrez Jackson, 17, was found on a lawn in a residential neighborhood, leaving a community to mourn and police to unravel the final moments of his young life. The circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery, with investigators working to piece together a timeline and identify who was responsible.
On November 6, 2026, at approximately 5:10 a.m., officers from the Columbus Division of Police were dispatched to the 1300 block of Yorkland Road. The call was in response to a report of a male lying on a lawn. Upon arrival, they found DeMontrez suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Medics from the Columbus Division of Fire were summoned to the scene, but his injuries were too severe.
DeMontrez was pronounced dead at 5:20 a.m., just ten minutes after he was found by the officers.
The shooting occurred in a neighborhood characterized by apartment and condo communities in the Far East Columbus area. The specific block on Yorkland Road is part of a residential area near the Livingston-McNaughten neighborhood, with easy access to major thoroughfares. The discovery of the young victim in the quiet pre-dawn hours was a jarring event for the local community. Homicide detectives were called to the scene to begin their investigation into the city's latest act of gun violence.
The Columbus Division of Police is leading the inquiry into DeMontrez's death. In the immediate aftermath, investigators worked to determine what had happened, but many questions remained unanswered. It was not clear when the shooting had actually occurred, whether DeMontrez was shot at the location where he was found, or if any witnesses heard or saw the incident. Detectives have not publicly identified any suspects or persons of interest in the case. Details regarding a possible motive or whether DeMontrez knew his assailant have not been released.
As of November 2026, the investigation is active and ongoing. The case is one of several homicides Columbus police were investigating that year. While the city had seen a significant decrease in homicides in 2025, reaching a 16-year low, the number of violent deaths was a continuing concern for city leaders and community members. Each case represents a profound loss and a search for answers and justice.
The investigation into the death of DeMontrez Jackson is still open. There have been no announcements of arrests or charges filed. The lack of a known suspect or motive leaves his family and community without closure. Police have not indicated if they recovered any surveillance footage or other evidence from the scene that could lead to a breakthrough.
Homicide detectives are urging the public to come forward with any information that might be relevant to the case. The Columbus Division of Police has asked anyone who was in the area of Yorkland Road in the early morning hours of November 6, or who may have any knowledge about the shooting, to contact their Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
