COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Division of Police (CPD) and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers are once again teaming up and asking for the community’s help in solving a drive-by shooting on New Year’s Eve.
It happened along Trevitt Street in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood. Two girls, ages 13 and 10, were shot.
CPD held a news conference Friday afternoon, and they were joined by the girls’ mother, Tiana Hall. The message is clear: they want this solved.
“Ten seconds changed my daughter’s life forever. Not just Amiyah, but Starr as well. It’s an indescribable feeling when your child says, “Can you roll me over, mom, so I can just go to sleep on my stomach?” said Hall, “All because someone did some stupid stuff.”
It was December 31, 2024, just minutes before midnight. In newly-released surveillance video, police say an orange Dodge Challenger pulled up in front of a house, turned the lights off, and someone can be seen getting out and firing multiple shots, blindly into the home, before driving away.
“Those shots struck a bedroom window. That bedroom was filled with kids anxiously awaiting the stroke of midnight,” said CPD Detective Ryan Steel.
Halls’ two daughters, 13-year-old Starr and the now 11-year-old Amiyah, were shot. Starr had surgery a few months ago and is now at home recovering, but Amiyah is paralyzed from the waist down. Hall says the past six months have been grueling.
“Much has not changed with Amiyah. As of right now, I’m trying to boost our self-confidence when we go out in public, she puts her head down, or does not want to leave home at all. Starr, I’m trying to give her her grace and let her know that it’s not your fault, you couldn’t have stopped that bullet from hitting your sister,” said Hall.
Columbus Police Detective Ryan Steel says it’s unfathomable that someone would shoot blindly into a house, striking innocent girls.
“My message to the shooter is this: turn yourself in, it’s time. You’ve had enough time to think about this. Although your shots may not have been intended for those individuals, those children. But the best thing you could do now is turn yourself in and try to make the best out of it,” said Detective Steel.
Police believe the shooter was not alone in the car. Hall says she asked her daughters if they wanted to attend Friday’s news conference, but both said they’re too scared that the orange Dodge Challenger will come back.
“Now is the time to give us the information to continue to make this community as safe as possible. These two little girls were doing nothing wrong. They were going outside to play like little girls often do. Like they should be able to do,” said Anthony Johnson, the coordinator for the Central Ohio Crime Stoppers.
Police are asking anyone with any information that could lead to an arrest to please come forward.
To submit a tip to Crime Stopper, click here.
