On January 7, 2025, at about 7:21 AM, Columbus Police responded to a disturbance at an apartment in the 100 block of Chittenden Avenue. Officers found 32-year-old Autumn Ward unresponsive inside with an apparent gunshot wound; Columbus Fire medics pronounced her dead at 7:49 AM. The report states Ward was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

Smith was taken into custody and charged with murder. He was ordered held on $750,000 bond and was being held in the Franklin County jail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 17, 2025. Authorities described the incident as related to domestic violence and said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who knew Autumn Ward or has information about the incident is asked to contact Columbus Police Detective Camp-Donovan or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers.