On the evening of November 22, 2019, at about 7:17 p.m., Columbus police found 18-year-old Brenden Martae Brown inside a crashed vehicle near Shady Lane Elementary School, 1444 Shady Lane Road. He had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at 8:16 p.m. by emergency medical personnel from Columbus Fire Department Engine 4.

Investigators say Brenden had been driving near a memorial vigil close to the school when he was shot. Witnesses suggested the shooter may have been a passenger in Brenden’s vehicle. After the shooting, Brenden accelerated south on Shady Lane Road and crashed into electric and telephone poles near East Livingston Avenue. The motive is unclear and no arrests have been announced.

Brenden’s mother, Keeandra Brown, described him as her only son and pleaded for anyone with information to come forward. Anyone with tips is asked to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 461-TIPS. Does anyone who was at the vigil or driving in that area that night have information that could help?