Thomas Battle, 53, of Columbus, Ohio, died of gunshot wounds after an incident on November 7, 2019, in Whitehall. The shooting occurred in the 4400 block of Josephus Avenue during a custody exchange with his son’s mother, Crystal Lanier. Battle was found with gunshot injuries and taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital, where he later died.

Authorities say Lanier shot Battle multiple times during an argument after the custody exchange. She was arrested at her residence on E. Mound Street in Whitehall and charged with two counts of murder and one count of tampering with evidence; a Franklin County grand jury indicted her and she was held without bond pending arraignment. Battle’s family and the community were deeply affected by his death.

If anyone witnessed the custody exchange on Josephus Avenue or has information about the moments before the shooting, please come forward.