Columbus Police have arrested three teenagers in connection with the fatal assault of 53-year-old Donnie Smith, a father of three. The incident occurred on December 6 at around 7 p.m. inside a Kroger grocery store, as reported by WSXY-TV.
According to the police, the altercation began inside the store, leading to the suspects being asked to leave by security personnel. The confrontation then escalated outside the store. Smith was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
WSXY-TV obtained statements from one of Smith’s friends who was present during the incident. Charging documents from the local ABC station indicated that Smith was found unconscious and bleeding. The suspects reportedly left the scene in a red vehicle.
Homicide detectives arrested Dionta Hughes, 18, Jamarion Evans-Bennett, 19, and Jayden Agee, 17, on murder charges. While photos of Hughes and Evans-Bennett were released to the public, Agee’s photo was not disclosed due to his minor status.
The investigation remains active, and Columbus police are seeking further information from the public.
