Robbery attempt possibly led to homicide of 16 year old near Wilson Apartments, police say
The homicide of 16-year-old Lamarion Wright possibly stemmed from an attempted robbery gone wrong, according to police testimony in Columbus Recorder’s Court.
Nigel Walker, 16, has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting and made his first court appearance Wednesday. Police said he will face the charge as an adult.
Wright was found in the roadway near Belmont Street and Sixth Avenue on May 22 after police were called to the area following reports of gunshots.
Police used surveillance footage from around the Wilson Apartments complex to help put together a possible timeline of events, Sergeant Donna Baker testified in court.
Wright, Walker and an unnamed male teen were walking west on Belmont Street towards Sixth Avenue. Baker testified that before the group reached the intersection, both teens pulled guns on Wright and demanded he give them his possessions.
When Wright refused, Walker pointed a gun at Wright and shot him, Baker testified. Wright fell to the ground. The unnamed teen picked up an item belonging to Wright before both teens fled the scene.
On May 25, Walker turned himself in to police and declined to provide a statement. According to Baker, a witness to the incident said that Wright and Walker exchanged words prior to the shooting.
There is an arrest warrant out for the unnamed teen reportedly involved in the shooting, Baker said.
Michael Eddings, Walker’s defense attorney, outlined what was next for his client outside of the courtroom.
“At Superior Court, we want to apply for him to get a bond and hopefully that will be a successful application for bond,” Eddings said. “Then, we’ll prepare for trial. We’ll see where his case leads.”
Eddings also spoke about crime in the community involving minors.
“Anytime that we see our children exposed to danger and crime is a concern to the whole community at large,” Eddings said. “We really have to embrace our young children in our community to give them alternatives to crime.”
Judge Julius Hunter bound the case over to Superior Court and issued a no contact order with the victim’s family.