Christopher A.R. Santiago, 29, was fatally shot on January 15, 2020, in the North Linden area of Columbus, Ohio, after being lured there under the pretense of a drug deal. The incident began with a car chase and shooting; Santiago’s vehicle was pursued and shot at multiple times, crashed into a pole, and was then fired upon again. A passenger, 42-year-old Shaulette Drain, was wounded in the shooting.

Prosecutors charged 27-year-old Daniel Ratliff in connection with Santiago’s death. Court filings say Ratliff admitted to pursuing the vehicle and shooting at it, and later told authorities he believed Santiago had tried to rob and kill him and that Santiago’s gun had jammed. Ratliff pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault as part of a plea agreement; he received an indefinite prison term of 22 years to 27½ years. Drain later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and received community control at the request of Santiago’s family, who asked that she get treatment for substance use disorder.

Are there details about the lead-up to the meeting or witnesses in North Linden who can help clarify what happened that night?