On June 3, 2024, 23-year-old Raqwan Ogelsby was fatally shot at an apartment complex on Buffalo Court in south Columbus, Ohio. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. when Ogelsby and his brother went to confront 26-year-old Jachin Perry Jr. at his home. According to court records, Ogelsby and his brother had heard that Perry had assaulted a woman earlier that day and wanted to confront him about it.
When Ogelsby and his brother arrived at Perry's home, they were greeted by a woman.
They asked Perry to come outside and fight. In response, Perry reached over the woman and opened fire, shooting both Ogelsby and his brother. Ogelsby was pronounced dead at the scene, while his brother was taken to Grant Medical Center with serious injuries.
Following the shooting, Perry and his 18-year-old brother, Michael Twitty, fled the scene. Witnesses reported seeing the brothers cutting through the woods to the Hannah Neal Center for Children parking lot. Columbus police officers apprehended both suspects at this location and took them into custody.
Both Perry and Twitty were charged in connection with Ogelsby's death. Perry faces charges of murder and felonious assault, while Twitty is charged with murder. During their arraignment in Franklin County Municipal Court, each suspect was given a $1 million bond and remanded to the Franklin County Correctional Center.
The mother of Raqwan Ogelsby attended the arraignment and spoke out against the accused killers. Visibly emotional, she addressed the court, stating, "I don't ever want these monsters back out. They changed my life." She expressed her hope that the rest of the suspects' lives would be "a living hell" and emphasized that they don't deserve to breathe the same air as others.
This tragic incident is part of a larger pattern of violence in Columbus. As of June 2024, the city had recorded 51 homicides for the year, which, while concerning, represents a decrease from the 78 homicides reported at the same time the previous year.
