Nelson Conley Jr., an 18-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, was found fatally shot on July 6, 2022, in an alley off Ellsworth Avenue in the Driving Park neighborhood. Detectives believe he was shot on Miller Avenue and ran down the alley before collapsing. At the time of his death Conley was associated with groups of teenagers known for car thefts across central Ohio and was facing charges in 10 separate cases tied to those thefts.

A 16-year-old, Keith Waddell III, was identified as the suspect; he admitted to killing Conley, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, and received a sentence of a minimum of 10 years to a maximum of 13½ years in prison. Conley’s death was recorded as the 67th homicide in Columbus in 2022 and drew attention because of the involvement of juveniles in car thefts and the resulting violence.

Conley’s family and friends have expressed deep sorrow; his mother, Erin Conley, has shared tributes about how much she misses him. If anyone knew Nelson, his whereabouts that day, or has information about the events on Miller Avenue and the alley off Ellsworth Avenue, please come forward.