14-year-old told police he fired fatal shots in Columbus club homicide, detective says

One of the youngest individuals believed to be involved in a June nightclub shooting told police that he fired the fatal shots, according to court testimony Friday in Columbus.

Det. Matt Sitler revealed more details about the June 5 shooting that left Samuel London, 40, dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Sitler testified that the 14-year-old, who has not been identified due to his juvenile status, was “clearly” seen on surveillance video entering London’s vehicle parked outside of the Foxy Lady Lounge.

Sitler testified that the 14-year-old was seen shooting London from the passenger seat, an injury he later died from at Piedmont Columbus Regional. Police talked to a number of witnesses who also identified the 14-year-old as the shooter, Sitler said.

The 14-year-old is charged with murder as an adult, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and entering an auto. He was arrested Wednesday and spoke to police with his mother present. According to Sitler, the 14-year-old told officers that he was the one that shot London.

The 14-year-old was joined in court Friday by a 16-year-old boy teen also charged with murder as an adult and entering an auto. The 16-year-old has also not been identified by authorities.

Sitler testified that the 16-year-old was at the scene of the crime but did not shoot London. He was also arrested Wednesday and declined to speak to police without a lawyer.

Judge Julius Hunter bound the cases over to Superior Court with no bond.

Stacey Jackson, defense attorney for the 16-year-old in the case, said that the amount of young individuals in the case is not typical.

“It is uncommon to have a group of young men charged with a crime such as this,” Jackson said. “It is not the norm.”

A total of four suspects, all age 18 or younger, have been arrested and charged in the case.