Three teenagers have been arrested and charged with the murder of 53-year-old Donnie Smith following an altercation that occurred at a Kroger grocery store in Columbus, Ohio, on December 6, 2023.
The suspects, identified as 18-year-old Dionta Davon Hughes, 19-year-old Jamarion Fredrae Evans-Bennett, and 17-year-old Jayden Agee are accused of engaging Smith inside the store, which escalated into a physical confrontation outside. They kicked, punched and stomped on him until he was unconscious, and only stopped when someone with a gun intervened.
According to witness accounts, Smith was involved in a dispute with the teenagers inside the Kroger store. Security personnel intervened and requested the group to leave the premises. The confrontation, however, continued outside the store. Smith was found near the pharmacy drive-thru, unconscious and bleeding from the head. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries two weeks later on December 20, 2023.
The severity of the assault was highlighted by reports of the teenagers being seen laughing and enjoying themselves during the incident. This detail has been corroborated by multiple witnesses.
A friend who was with Smith at the store said the suspects were “trying to pick on whoever they could.”
The Columbus police launched an investigation, leading to the identification and subsequent arrest of the three teenagers.
Hughes and Evans-Bennett, being legal adults, had their photos released to the public. Both are being held on a $1 million bond each. The 17-year-old is detained awaiting a hearing to determine if he will be tried as an adult. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing, and the police have encouraged anyone with further information to come forward.
Smith, a father of three, including a 15-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter, was remembered by his partner of 20 years as an amazing father and person. His death has been described as a senseless act of violence, leaving a profound impact on his family and community.
The incident has raised concerns regarding safety and violence in public spaces. The Columbus police department is actively working on the case, gathering evidence and witness testimonies to establish the sequence of events leading to Smith’s death.
The Kroger Company, the supermarket chain where the incident occurred, has not issued a public statement regarding the incident. The store’s role and response during and after the altercation may become relevant as the investigation progresses.
In addition to the criminal charges, the incident raises questions about youth violence and its handling within the community and legal system. The decision on whether the 17-year-old suspect will be tried as an adult is pending, a determination that could significantly impact the legal proceedings.