James-Michael T. Brice, a 21-year-old African American man from Columbus, Ohio, was shot and killed on April 28, 2014 during an attempted robbery at an apartment in the Sawmill Crossing Apartments. Brice and his friend, 20-year-old Lentwan M. Smith, were both killed at the scene. Brandan M. Daugherty, who was in the apartment and had opened the door expecting a friend, said the two men forced their way in and that one of them hit him in the face with a gun, prompting him to shoot in self-defense. Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots during the altercation. Detectives concluded Brice and Smith were attempting to rob Daugherty of drugs, and the case was forwarded to the Franklin County prosecutor’s office. Neither Daugherty nor Cory T. Speakman, another person present in the apartment, has been charged.

Brice was remembered by family as polite and helpful; his grandmother Gloria Morris said he often helped with household chores. The circumstances left his family and community grieving. Does anyone who knew James-Michael or Lentwan have information that could shed more light on what happened that night?