Masonique Saunders, 20, was fatally shot on April 23, 2022, at a cookout in Saunders Park in Columbus, Ohio. The incident happened around 8:25 p.m. when multiple people exchanged gunfire from different locations surrounding the park. Saunders was pronounced dead at the scene; another woman who was pregnant was grazed by a bullet and taken to the hospital and is expected to be okay.

Family members believe the shooting may have been retaliation tied to the 2018 shooting death of Julius Tate Jr., who was Saunders’ boyfriend at the time and was shot and killed by an undercover Columbus police officer during an attempted robbery. Saunders had previously been charged in connection with Tate’s death under a law that can hold accomplices criminally responsible when a death occurs during the commission of a felony; she later pleaded guilty in juvenile court to involuntary manslaughter and two counts of aggravated robbery.

No arrests have been announced in connection with Saunders’ death and the Columbus Police Homicide Unit and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers are asking anyone with information to come forward. Did anyone see activity around Saunders Park that night or know anyone who might have information?