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Columbus Police Seek Public Help After 31‑Year‑Old Killed in Hilltop Shooting

Updated (29 articles)

James Pettigrew Killed in Hilltop on Jan 27 On January 27 2026, 31‑year‑old James Pettigrew was shot dead in the South Central Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus, near the 500 block of South Richardson Avenue, at approximately 3:20 p.m.; he was pronounced dead at Grant Medical Center at 3:53 p.m. No suspect, motive, or details of the shooter have been released, and the homicide investigation remains open [6][1].

Police Appeal for Surveillance Video from 3‑5 pm Detectives are asking anyone with security or surveillance footage captured between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Jan 27 to submit it anonymously via a QR code or tip line. The area of interest is bounded by Fremont St., Springmont Ave., South Wayne Ave., and South Burgess Ave., and tips can be directed to the Homicide Unit at 614‑645‑4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614‑461‑TIPS [1][6].

Family Grieves and Calls for Justice Pettigrew’s sister, Martina Gibbs Dowdy, described the loss as “overwhelming,” while his mother, Jacqueline Saulsbery, referred to him as “my baby” and pleaded for prayers and community support. He leaves behind two young children, and relatives in multiple states have expressed deep sorrow and a desire for swift justice [1].

Investigation Remains Ongoing Police have not disclosed any suspect information, emphasizing that the case is still active. Authorities continue to review video submissions and encourage the public to provide any leads that could help identify the shooter [1][6].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 22, 2025 – Va’Niyah Mason, a 2‑year‑old, is fatally shot inside a home on East Long Street; police call the incident “non‑intentional” and note multiple people were present, while neighbor Dan Steigerwalt says the “yelling and sirens left the block shaken” during the holiday season [20][21].

Nov 2, 2025 – A road‑rage shooting at East Hudson Street kills 22‑year‑old Hannah Taylor after a vehicle crash; police later identify suspect Khaliq Hunt and label the motive “road‑rage” [24].

Nov 21, 2025 – In east Columbus, 42‑year‑old Keith Morgan is shot dead in his residence on North Hampton Road; video evidence leads to the arrest of 20‑year‑old Miyaira Tyler, who turns herself in [25].

Nov 21, 2025 – On the same day, 25‑year‑old Lamar Ross is murdered on North High Street; 24‑year‑old Tyrek Simpson is arrested on murder charges, and a firearm is recovered at the scene [26].

Jan 2, 2026 – Columbus police respond to a Hilltop shooting at 2300 Sullivant Ave; the victim dies from an “accidental self‑inflicted” gunshot, and investigators release only a preliminary report [17].

Jan 2, 2026 – After a Jan 1 domestic dispute in Clinton, a 38‑year‑old suspect is killed by police during a pursuit that ends in Snohomish County; the driver survives after being shot at a traffic stop [29].

Jan 6, 2026 – Officers arrive at a northwest Columbus business on Hayden Rd, find an adult dead, and detain two individuals who claim self‑defense while police probe a possible attempted robbery [16].

Jan 6, 2026 – Columbus police board a COTA bus and arrest five armed teens (one as young as 14) after a car break‑in; an officer warns “Don’t f---ing reach for anything” as they approach [15].

Jan 8, 2026 – A shooting in a business parking lot on East Hudson St leaves a victim with a facial wound; police detain a possible suspect and request public tips [14].

Jan 11, 2026 – A fatal shooting in the 5900 block of South High St stems from a dispute in a business parking lot; the victim dies after being taken to Grant Medical Center [13].

Jan 13, 2026 – Elijah Roberts receives a life sentence with parole after 27 years for the July 9, 2025 Target parking‑lot shooting that killed Joseph Suiter; Sgt. Joseph Albert notes the incident “was not connected to the Target” [12].

Jan 15, 2026 – A Franklin County grand jury indicts Antonio Colvin on reckless homicide for the Dec 22, 2025 killing of 2‑year‑old Va’Niyah Mason; Colvin’s next court appearance is scheduled for Friday afternoon [11].

Jan 16, 2026 – A 17‑year‑old is shot on Talon Court; his condition improves after initially being listed as critical, and two juveniles are charged with aggravated robbery [9].

Jan 16, 2026 – A juvenile is wounded on Nissi Dr near Agler Rd; police have no suspect information and urge tips from the public [10].

Jan 18, 2026 – A 31‑year‑old Monroe man is seriously injured after being shot in the chest outside a bar on East Main St; investigators suspect an internal dispute and have no arrests yet [28].

Jan 23, 2026 – Kenneth Milton, 44, is arrested and charged with murder and felonious assault for the fatal shooting of Jon Small in a Tamarack Blvd parking‑lot dispute; Milton is slated to appear in court Saturday [7].

Jan 27, 2026 – James Pettigrew, 31, is killed in the Hilltop neighborhood; his sister Martina Gibbs Dowdy says the family is “overwhelmed” and his mother Jacqueline Saulsbery calls him “my baby,” while detectives seek security video from 3‑5 p.m. [6][2].

Jan 30, 2026 – On South Richardson Ave, officers respond to a shooting at 3:20 p.m.; James Pettigrew dies at 3:53 p.m., and police again request any surveillance footage from the bounded block [6].

Feb 2, 2026 – At about 1 a.m., shots fire from a passing vehicle at the Linden police substation; an officer remarks “It… like whizzed by me,” and the 18‑year‑old driver Samatar Salad is arrested with a Glock 29 [1][3].

Feb 2, 2026 – US Marshals arrest 34‑year‑old Duron Thomas Sr. in Toledo for the July 28, 2024 murder of Jacob Coons at Charley’s Place; he will be extradited to Franklin County [4].

Feb 4, 2026 – Fraternal Order of Police executive VP Brian Toth praises Columbus officers for restraint after the substation shooting, saying the “rapid response could have ended much differently” [1].

Feb 4, 2026 – Columbus detectives again ask the public for any security video of the Jan 27 Hilltop shooting, providing a QR code and anonymous tip line [2].

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