COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified the victim killed in a shooting on the lawn of the Ohio Statehouse Sunday night as a 16-year-old Columbus boy.
According to the Columbus Division of Police, officers responded to the Statehouse just after 10 p.m.
Officers located 16-year-old Broderick Harper on the Broad Street side of the front lawn and tried to resuscitate him before he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A spokesperson for the Ohio State Highway Patrol said one of their units on the grounds heard the shot and attempted to help save the teen.
Surveillance video released by statehouse officials Tuesday shows four people on scooters pulling up in the front of the Statehouse and stopping just to the left of the front steps.
The video then shows Harper, who was in a group of three other people riding scooters, quickly falling backward.
Two people were then seen running away from the scene and the third person riding away on a scooter.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is handling the investigation. If anyone has any information, they are asked to call 614-466-2660.
Licking Heights Local Schools confirmed Harper was a student at Licking Heights High School. Below is a statement from Superintendent Philip Wagner.
Harper’s mother said he was a sweet and loving kid and had just gotten a job at McDonald’s. He had played basketball for Sherwood but was planning on playing football for Licking Heights.
A GoFundMe has been made to help pay for funeral expenses.
Dear Families:
It is with great sadness I can confirm that on Sunday evening, May 29, an upperclassman student at Licking Heights High School passed away as the result of an incident in downtown Columbus.
Broderick M. Harper was a student within the Licking Heights Local Schools District.
Our community grieves with the family as they cope with this tragic loss. In respect to their privacy, as well as, the ongoing official investigation by law enforcement authorities, the district will release no further information at this time.
The district’s crisis team, including counselors, will be available to all students and staff on Thursday, June 2 from 1-3 p.m. at the high school.