William Caslin, Sr., 64, was shot and killed on May 5, 2022, while sitting in his vehicle in a parking lot at an apartment complex in the 1800 block of Oakland Park Avenue in Columbus. Medics pronounced him dead at 6:19 a.m. The shooting occurred during an attempted drug purchase of cocaine.

Court records say 23-year-old John Rash, also known as Joe Joe, answered a door with a gun, took money from Caslin, then retreated to a kitchen where a gunshot was heard. Rash claimed the gun went off accidentally; the bullet traveled through a cabinet into the adjacent apartment and struck Caslin. Rash and another person then fled in a vehicle. Rash was charged with reckless homicide and drug possession and held at the Franklin County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Caslin was a husband, father, Army veteran and longtime roofer remembered for his humor and dedication to family and community. The Columbus Police Department continues to investigate; anyone with information is asked to submit a tip.