Despite Reported Drop in Crime, Deadly Shootings Continue to Shake Columbus

According to the Columbus Police Department (CPD), the city has experienced a significant drop in major crime categories over the past two years. But for many residents, especially those in neighborhoods rocked by gun violence, the numbers don’t tell the full story.

From January 1 to October 24, 2024, CPD reported sharp reductions in several categories: murders dropped 29.7%, robberies fell 27.2%, burglaries decreased by 22.7%, and motor vehicle thefts were down 16.5%. For 2025, police report an even steeper decline in violent crime, citing a 26.5% year-to-date decrease, including fewer homicides and felony assaults.

Still, the city is reeling from a recent spate of shootings, raising doubts about how safe Columbus truly is.

On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 21-year-old Hernandez Hubbard was killed in a drive-by shooting—just the latest in a series of fatal incidents this summer.

Earlier this month, on Saturday, July 5, officers were called to the 2800 block of Reese Road around 12:15 p.m. and found Donnie Hand, 51, dead from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two days earlier, on July 3, police responded to a shooting in the 4800 block of Hearthstone Drive and discovered 21-year-old Jaques Banks deceased in the front yard. EMS personnel were unable to revive him, and a deputy coroner pronounced him dead at 5:00 p.m.

On July 6, a welfare check led officers to the 400 block of 20th Avenue, where they found Mozelle Barbee, 53, dead from a gunshot wound. Emergency responders were again unable to save the victim.

In another case on May 5, officers responded to a shooting in the 3700 block of Cusseta Road. Chastin Hunter, 33, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and later died at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital.

Though police tout the implementation of improved reporting methods—such as the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and the Citizens Self-Reporting Program—some community members worry these changes are masking the severity of the crisis on the ground.

“Perception is reality,” said one local advocate. “And our reality is that these shootings are out of control, and nothing is being done about it. Our children are dying, and no one seems to care.”

Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis maintains that crime is trending downward. In a February 2025 briefing, Mathis reported that overall crime was down 3% and emphasized the department’s commitment to transparency.

But for families mourning loved ones lost to violence—and for neighborhoods that live in fear—statistics offer little comfort.

The question remains: If crime is truly down, why doesn’t it feel that way in Columbus?