Samuel L. Nicholson II was 16 when he was fatally shot inside an Ashville, Ohio apartment on June 11, 2017. He was born February 27, 2001, in Circleville, attended Teays Valley High School, and is survived by his parents Jennifer Lynn Climer Castle and Samuel L. Nicholson I, a brother Robert Hillis Castle, his girlfriend Kirstin Ferguson, and other family members.

Police say the shooting was over a drug debt of $700. Authorities identified 20-year-old Justin Blevins of Pickaway County as the suspect; he was taken into custody two days later at an attorney’s office in Circleville. Blevins was charged with aggravated murder and felonious assault and entered a not guilty plea at a pretrial hearing.

Samuel’s obituary describes him as someone who always had a smile and was a pleasure to be around; the family asked for donations to help with funeral expenses instead of flowers.

If anyone knew Samuel or has information about the events leading up to June 11, 2017, please come forward.