Preston Allen Bell, 22, was fatally shot on December 27, 2021, near Shady Lane Road and McAllister Avenue in east Columbus. His death was recorded as the 199th homicide in Columbus that year, part of a record number of killings the city experienced in 2021.

Family described Preston as well-mannered and a devoted fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Police have not released concrete details about the shooting; homicide detectives have noted rumors and theories but have not publicly provided specifics. No arrests or suspects have been named and the investigation remains open.

The neighborhood where he was killed has a high rate of unsolved homicides, and the family hopes the case will be solved despite those challenges. If anyone has information about what happened near Shady Lane Road and McAllister Avenue on December 27, 2021, please come forward.