Three teenagers charged with murder following fatal Hilltop shooting
Columbus police announced charges against two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old following the fatal Hilltop shooting.
Two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old were arrested for their alleged roles in the fatal Oct. 6 shooting, according to police. On Wednesday, Columbus police said the boys have been taken into custody, reporting that Three teens charged in fatal Hilltop shooting. The three teenagers face murder charges and are being held at the Franklin County Juvenile Intervention Center.
Gunfire in Columbus’ Hilltop neighborhood Tuesday night left 53-year-old Cedric Cole dead. Columbus police officers were patrolling the area of Clarendon Lane just before 8 pm when they heard gunshots. After checking the area, officers found Cedric Cole, 53, suffering from a gunshot wound, and Columbus Fire rushed Cole to the hospital, where he died. Investigators reported that an argument preceded the fatal gunfire.
Previously, Columbus police investigate fatal Tuesday evening shooting on Clarendon Lane.
The arrests follow community concern over gun violence in west Columbus. Sean Stevenson, executive director of the community group End The Violence, said he expects the situation to worsen as temperatures drop. Columbus police statistics showed that of 86 homicide suspects charged across the city in 2026, 33 of them — 38% — are 21 years old or younger.
The three teenagers remain detained at the Franklin County Juvenile Intervention Center pending initial proceedings in Franklin County Juvenile Court. Under Ohio law, murder charges against 14- and 15-year-old defendants allow prosecutors to request discretionary bindover proceedings to transfer cases to adult court in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, a process that requires statutory hearings on probable cause and amenability to juvenile rehabilitation.
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Police: 3 teens charged with murder in west Columbus shooting
Supporting evidence (1)
Two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old were arrested for their alleged roles in the fatal Oct. 6 shooting, according to police.
Three teens charged in fatal Hilltop shooting
Supporting evidence (2)
On Wednesday, Columbus police said the boys have been taken into custody, reporting that Three teens charged in fatal Hilltop shooting.
Read supporting passage
On Wednesday, Columbus police said the boys have been taken into custody
On Wednesday, Columbus police said the boys have been taken into custody, reporting that Three teens charged in fatal Hilltop shooting.
Read supporting passage
Three teens charged in fatal Hilltop shooting
Supporting evidence (3)
Gunfire in Columbus’ Hilltop neighborhood Tuesday night left 53-year-old Cedric Cole dead.
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Gunfire in Columbus’ Hilltop neighborhood Tuesday night left 53-year-old Cedric Cole dead, as neighbors said they are still waiting for answers and an arrest.
Sean Stevenson, executive director of the community group End The Violence, said he expects the situation to worsen as temperatures drop.
Columbus police statistics showed that of 86 homicide suspects charged across the city in 2026, 33 of them — 38% — are 21 years old or younger.
Read supporting passage
Police have charged 86 homicide suspects so far in 2026 , 33 of them — 38% — are 21 years old or younger.
Supporting evidence (3)
Columbus police officers were patrolling the area of Clarendon Lane just before 8 pm when they heard gunshots.
After checking the area, officers found Cedric Cole, 53, suffering from a gunshot wound, and Columbus Fire rushed Cole to the hospital, where he died.
Read supporting passage
After checking the area, officers found Cedric Cole, 53, suffering from a gunshot wound.
After checking the area, officers found Cedric Cole, 53, suffering from a gunshot wound, and Columbus Fire rushed Cole to the hospital, where he died.
Read supporting passage
Columbus Fire rushed Cole to the hospital, where he died.
Columbus police investigate fatal Tuesday evening shooting on Clarendon Lane
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Columbus police investigate fatal Tuesday evening shooting on Clarendon Lane.
Read supporting passage
Columbus police investigate fatal Tuesday evening shooting on Clarendon Lane