On the evening of May 8, 2025, officers responded to a shooting in the 4000 block of Carlton Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. Responding crews found 18-year-old Terrance Spellman suffering from a gunshot wound; he was taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital and pronounced dead at 8:53 PM.

Detectives say Spellman had been in the front room of an apartment at 4036 Carlton Avenue with two other individuals, including 18-year-old Donnie Pernell Walls Jr. The three were described as friends who were handling multiple firearms when Walls allegedly recklessly handled one weapon and it unintentionally discharged, fatally striking Spellman. After the shooting, Walls and the other person carried Spellman outside and left his body in a nearby parking lot, then returned and gave false statements to the 911 operator.

Detectives charged Donnie Pernell Walls Jr. with reckless homicide; he was arrested and is in the Franklin County Jail. The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information about the case, contact Detective Polgar at the Columbus Police Department or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers.