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William David Smith II indicted after fatal north Columbus motel shooting
Read the full articleWilliam David Smith II was indicted on reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter charges after a gunshot inside a Columbus hotel room killed his mother, Marlena Hicks. Court records show he received a $50,000 bond, while his next court date has not yet been set.
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https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/ohio-man-indicted-mother-death-170000458.html
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A Columbus man, 38-year-old William David Smith II, was indicted after firing a single shot in a hotel room that struck himself and fatally hit his mother in the next room, according to court records.
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A Columbus man was indicted on multiple charges including reckless homicide after firing a single shot in a hotel room that struck himself and fatally hit his mother in the next room, court records state.William David Smith II, 38, was indicted Thursday.
Smith is charged with reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter, both third-degree felonies, as well as first-degree misdemeanors of using a weapon while intoxicated and assault, court records state.
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He is charged with reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter -- third-degree felonies, using a weapon while intoxicated and assault -- first-degree misdemeanors.
Officers were called around 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 4 to the Double Ten Hotel in the 6100 block of Zumstein Drive, where they found 60-year-old Marlena Hicks and Smith suffering from gunshot wounds, police reported.
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Officers were called at 1:30 a.m. Oct. 4 to the 6100 block of Zumstein Drive at the Double Ten Hotel on reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Marlena Hicks, 60, and William David Smith II, 38, suffering from gunshot wounds, officers said.
Hicks died shortly after 2:30 a.m. at a hospital, while Smith survived his injuries and was initially charged with murder prior to his medical release, according to police statements.
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Hicks died just after 2:30 a.m. at a hospital. Smith survived his injuries and was initially charged with murder prior to his release from a hospital, police said.
According to investigators, Hicks was Smith's mother, and police said he was handling the firearm in an unsafe manner when it discharged, wounding him and striking Hicks who was in the bathroom.
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Court records state that Hicks was Smith's mother. Police said he was handling his firearm "in an unsafe manner" when it discharged, striking him and Hicks who was in the bathroom.
He was given a $50,000 bond Monday, according to court records.
His next appearance on the court docket has not yet been scheduled, records indicate.
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Smith's next court date has not been set.
https://hoodline.com/2026/10/son-s-gun-mishap-at-north-columbus-motel-kills-his-own-mother-60/
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Under the Ohio Revised Code, reckless homicide is a third-degree felony carrying a potential sentence of one to five years in prison, while negligent homicide involving a deadly weapon is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail, state law specifies.
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Under Ohio Revised Code, reckless homicide is a third-degree felony carrying one to five years in prison, while negligent homicide involving a deadly weapon is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail, according to the Ohio Revised Code. Smith faces a reckless homicide charge, a third-degree felony.
The reckless homicide charge followed a preliminary determination that the firearm had been handled in an extremely unsafe manner.
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The charge followed a preliminary determination that the firearm had been handled in an extremely unsafe manner, the outlet reported.
Previously, Pique Media reported on the accidental motel shooting after a Columbus Police sergeant told 10TV that Smith accidentally shot himself while handling the firearm and a bullet then struck and fatally wounded his mother.
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Pique Media reported that a Columbus Police sergeant at the scene told 10TV that Smith accidentally shot himself while handling the firearm, and a bullet then struck and fatally wounded his mother.
One Dead, One Injured in Accidental Shooting at North Columbus Motel
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Previously, Pique Media reported on the accidental motel shooting after a Columbus Police sergeant told 10TV that Smith accidentally shot himself while handling the firearm and a bullet then struck and fatally wounded his mother.
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One Dead, One Injured in Accidental Shooting at North Columbus Motel