Anthony Butts Sr., 30, was fatally shot during a shootout in South Linden, Columbus, on May 15, 2021. He was found on East 18th Avenue around 10:08 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 11:18 p.m.

Investigators say 22-year-old Anthony Wilkes was involved and was found wounded at the scene. Wilkes was charged with murder; witnesses identified him as participating in the shootout. At trial the jury acquitted Wilkes on one murder count, deadlocked on a second murder count and could not reach a unanimous verdict on whether felony assault caused Butts’ death. Wilkes was convicted of tampering with evidence for allegedly hiding his gun. The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office is considering a retrial on the unresolved murder charge. The defense maintained Wilkes acted in self-defense, saying he believed Butts was going to take his gun and shoot him.

Butts’ killing was one of many homicides in Columbus in 2021. Does anyone have information about the incident or saw activity on East 18th Avenue that night?