On March 25, 2024, John R. Lang, a 56-year-old man from Columbus, Ohio, was found dead in an alley near the 100 block of Jones Avenue in the Franklinton area of Columbus. Police received a call around noon about a body discovered in the alley, and upon investigation, they determined that Lang had died from a gunshot wound.
The Columbus Police Department launched an investigation into Lang's death, which was quickly classified as a homicide. For nearly two weeks, authorities worked to gather evidence and identify potential suspects in the case.
On April 8, 2024, investigators made a significant breakthrough in the case. They arrested 55-year-old Derrick Lamar Brown of Bexley, Ohio, charging him with murder in connection to Lang's death. Brown was taken into custody and is facing formal charges for his alleged involvement in the shooting.
The following day, on April 9, 2024, a second suspect was apprehended. Darrelle Howell, 33, was arrested on warrants for murder and abuse of a corpse in relation to Lang's death. Howell was expected to be arraigned on April 10, 2024, to face these charges.
As the investigation continued to unfold, authorities provided updates to the public, emphasizing their commitment to solving the case and bringing those responsible for John R. Lang's death to justice. The arrests of Brown and Howell marked significant progress in the homicide investigation, offering potential closure to Lang's family and the community.