COLUMBUS, OH – An Ohio father of three died following an assault carried out by a trio of teenagers, according to the Columbus Police Department. The attack on 53-year-old Donnie Smith happened at 7 p.m. on December 6 inside a Kroger grocery store, where all three suspects were allegedly involved. Following a dispute with other patrons within the establishment, the teenagers were asked by security to leave.
Police indicate that the violent confrontation resumed outside the store, resulting in Smith’s critical injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds.
One of Smith’s friends, who was present at the time of the incident, stated that the group appeared to be looking for conflict. They were allegedly attempting to pick on whoever they could. Charging documents revealed that Smith was found unconscious, suffering from a severe head injury caused by the beating. The documents further disclosed the group was reportedly laughing and seemed to be enjoying themselves while committing the assault.
Smith’s death occurred two weeks post-attack, according to local media. The suspects are believed to have fled from the crime scene in a red vehicle, though information on how detectives pinpointed them as the assailants has not been issued by the police.
The accused parties are Dionta Hughes, 18, Jamarion Evans-Bennett, 19, and 17-year-old Jayden Agee, all charged with murder. While the photographs of Hughes and Evans-Bennett were released by the police, the picture of Agee was withheld due to his minor status.
The investigation is currently ongoing. Columbus police urge anyone with information relating to the case to step forward.