Crime
Victims killed in New Albany warehouse shooting identified
The alleged shooter, 28-year-old Bruce Reginald Foster III, appeared in court Thursday afternoon and is currently being held on a $20 million bond.
NEW ALBANY, OH – Authorities have identified both victims who were fatally shot in Tuesday night’s mass shooting at a KDC/One warehouse in New Albany.
The Licking County Coroner’s Office confirmed Thursday that 38-year-old Kyle Vaver, of Pickerington, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second victim, 30-year-old Shakhar Chapagai, was transported to Mount Carmel East Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 8:33 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office.
In an update Thursday, officials reported that one individual remains hospitalized following the incident.
The alleged shooter, 28-year-old Bruce Reginald Foster III, appeared in court Thursday afternoon and is currently being held on a $20 million bond.
According to court records filed in Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Foster has been charged with aggravated murder, with additional charges likely as the investigation progresses.
His next court appearance is scheduled for February 13.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to reports of an active shooter at the KDC/One warehouse on Smiths Mill Road North.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered six employees who had been shot, including Vaver, who was deceased.
During a Wednesday afternoon press briefing, New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones stated that officers arrived within four minutes of receiving the emergency call.
However, Foster had already fled the scene using a rideshare service, which authorities do not believe was involved in the crime.
While police have described the attack as targeted, they have not yet determined a definitive motive.
Witnesses told investigators that Foster had been working for several hours before the shooting and that there had been no prior altercation or dispute leading up to the violence.
Foster was ultimately taken into custody at an apartment complex on East 7th Avenue, near the Short North Arts District in Columbus.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the New Albany Police Department or Licking County authorities.
Crime
Woman Fatally Struck by Semi-Truck on Birmingham Interstate Exit Ramp Identified as Shontea Baker
Authorities have identified the woman who was killed earlier this week after being struck by a semi-truck on an interstate exit ramp in Birmingham.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Friday that the victim was Shontea Renee Baker, 40, a Birmingham resident.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 10:26 a.m. Wednesday on the Arkadelphia Road exit ramp from Interstate 59/20.
Emergency responders pronounced Baker deceased at the scene at 10:42 a.m.
At this time, no further details regarding the circumstances of the crash have been released.
The Birmingham Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.