Rene Villanueva Soto, 37, was shot and killed in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 31, 2025. Columbus police were dispatched around 3:35–3:37 a.m. to the 700 block of Stelzer Road near East 7th Avenue, where officers found two people with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to a nearby hospital; Rene Villanueva Soto was pronounced dead at Grant Medical Center and the other victim was listed in stable condition.

The Columbus Division of Police opened a homicide investigation and investigators searched the scene for evidence while crime-scene tape cordoned off the corridor. Family and friends later arranged visitation and a service at Jerry Spears Funeral Home, with burial to follow in Mexico. As of the initial public statements, no arrests had been announced and no suspect information released.

Did anyone in the community see activity near Stelzer Road that morning or have information that could help investigators?