Deadly Shooting Near Troubled North Linden Bar

Incident comes just a week after city attorney renewed efforts to shut down the establishment.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:48am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent bullet casing on the ground, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent spate of violence at a troubled North Linden bar exposes the broader public safety challenges facing parts of Columbus.Columbus Today

A fatal shooting near a North Linden bar in Columbus, Ohio left one person dead and another injured, just a week after the city attorney renewed efforts to shut down the establishment following a previous shooting incident.

Why it matters

The shooting is the latest in a string of violent incidents at the First Stop Bar and Grill, which has faced ongoing scrutiny from local authorities due to public safety concerns. The bar's troubles highlight the broader challenge of addressing crime and violence in certain neighborhoods of Columbus.

The details

Police responded to the First Stop Bar and Grill on Oakland Park Avenue shortly after 4 a.m. on Friday following reports of a shooting. Authorities said the incident began as an altercation between two adults. One victim was transported to a local hospital where they later died, while the other victim self-transported to a hospital in unknown condition. Neither victim has been identified.

  • The shooting occurred on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • On March 24, 2026, the Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein asked a Franklin County judge to shut down the First Stop Bar and Grill after a previous shooting incident on March 22.

The players

Zach Klein

The Columbus City Attorney who has been seeking to shut down the First Stop Bar and Grill due to public safety concerns.

First Stop Bar and Grill

A bar located in the North Linden neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio that has faced ongoing scrutiny from local authorities due to a string of violent incidents.

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What they’re saying

“We must address the public safety issues at this establishment and take action to protect the community.”

— Zach Klein, Columbus City Attorney

What’s next

The Columbus City Attorney's office will continue its efforts to shut down the First Stop Bar and Grill, with a court hearing scheduled for next week to determine the bar's fate.

The takeaway

This shooting highlights the ongoing challenges Columbus faces in addressing crime and violence in certain neighborhoods, and the need for collaborative solutions between law enforcement, city officials, and community stakeholders to improve public safety.