Columbus police warned partygoers hours before fatal mass shooting, mayor says
Cameron Moore, 17, died in the shooting that happened about 2:40 a.m. at a home in the 800 block of Wilson Avenue. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and police officials confirmed at a July 7 press conference that police visited the home about 1 a.m.
Police made no arrests and issued no citations during their initial visit. Assistant Chief Nicholas Konves stated that police responded to at least 20 calls for large-scale parties that morning.
"Upon arrival, there were folks outside the party," Konves said. "There was clearly loud music going on inside the residence there. That is a very common call we get."
The mayor and police also released no details about a possible shooter or suspect, while stressing that the shooting wasn't random, and the public has no cause for concern.
Initial police reports estimated some 100 attendees at the party.
Officers who made initial contact with partygoers issued a warning, telling them to shut the music down and keep the street clear, Konves said. He declined to say whether police witnessed any drug use or underage drinking during their initial visit to the party.
Then at 2:40 a.m., Columbus police received a call to the address to investigate a report of a shooting that injured several people. Six people, including two teenagers, were shot, police said. Paramedics took Moore to OhioHealth Grant Hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
The other five people had injuries that were not life-threatening, police dispatchers said.
The mayor stressed that the shootings were not random and happened as a result of conflicts between people who already knew each other. Columbus investigators have also asked anyone with video or photo evidence from the party to upload it online.
Konves declined to say whether the owner of the short-term rental might face citations or whether police have been called to the address before, citing the ongoing investigation. The owners listed on property records have not responded to phone calls from the Dispatch seeking comment.
Ginther said the city would consider asking the city council to take legislative action to address concerns with short-term rental companies, such as Airbnb and Vrbo, and other services, although he didn't specify what those laws might look like. Ohio Republicans have previously sought to create limitations on how local governments can regulate short-term rentals.
Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin issued a statement saying the city intends to take a fresh look at how to regulate short-term rentals.
'Council spearheaded regulation of short-term rentals in the past and I would support updating those rules to crack down on party houses," Hardin said in a July 7 statement issued by his office. "But that is just the start – everything should be on the table to fight for safety and preserve quality of life as we become a big city. I also want to take a hard look at how we police entertainment districts and commercial centers, manage large-scale events and festivals, and intervene with juvenile offenders and young people.'
Moore's death was the first of two homicides that happened over the Independence Day weekend. Police received a call at 1:30 a.m. July 5 about a shooting in the 1500 block of West Broad Street.
Shaunquan Walker, 32, suffered a fatal gunshot wound and died after paramedics took him to an undisclosed hospital.
Columbus police have not announced any arrests as of July 7, and much like the July 4 shooting that killed Moore, police said there was no ongoing threat to the general public, and the West Broad Street shooting involved people who knew each other.
Ginther and Konves used the July 7 press conference to tout the city's low homicide numbers and declining number of shootings.
Ginther said the shooting happened just three hours after the "all clear" at the end of Red, White and BOOM!, which brought thousands of people to downtown Columbus. The event saw little in the way of major crime or police activity.
Ginther and police officials also said homicides remain down overall in 2025 in Columbus.
As of July 7, there have been 42 homicides reported in Columbus this year, down from 58 in 2024 and 84 in 2023. And Deputy Chief Justin Coleman said that Columbus police's 78% solve rate is above the national average, which hovers around 50%.
Police leaders and Ginther urged community members to continue sending in tips. Coleman said investigators were diligently reviewing evidence people had provided and "hope to have positive outcomes on all the incidents."
"This is not how we solve conflict," Ginther said. "This is how cowards solve conflict…I know you are exhausted with these events. I share your frustration."
Public Safety and Breaking News Reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus police warned partygoers hours before fatal mass shooting
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