Columbus Homicides Drop Significantly in March 2026

City sees lowest number of killings since 2007, continuing downward trend.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Columbus police reported that homicides in the city and Franklin County dropped significantly in March 2026, continuing a downward trend that saw the city finish 2025 with 84 homicides - a 33% decrease from the previous year and the lowest number of killings in Columbus since 2007.

Why it matters

The decline in homicides in Columbus is seen as a positive sign for public safety in the city, which has struggled with high violent crime rates in recent years. The continued downward trend suggests the city's efforts to address the root causes of violence may be having an impact.

The details

On March 7, police responded to a shooting in the 1100 block of Mediterranean Avenue, where they found 18-year-old Nathaniel Kerby dead at the scene. This was one of the few homicides reported in Columbus and Franklin County during the month of March 2026.

  • The homicide of Nathaniel Kerby occurred just after 1:30 a.m. on March 7, 2026.
  • Columbus finished 2025 with 84 homicides, a 33% decrease from 2024.

The players

Nathaniel Kerby

An 18-year-old who was killed in a shooting in Columbus on March 7, 2026.

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The takeaway

The significant drop in homicides in Columbus during 2025 and the continued downward trend in March 2026 suggest the city's efforts to address violent crime may be paying off, providing hope for improved public safety in the future.