John Wilks was a 28-year-old father from Columbus, Ohio, described by his family as a gentle giant with a heart of gold. On the night of July 28, 2024, a dispute in the 700 block of South Ogden Avenue ended in deadly violence when Wilks was shot and killed around 10 p.m. Police say the shooter dragged his body into a nearby garage. A woman was also shot and found injured in a car; she was taken to a hospital and listed in stable condition.

Officers at the scene reported seeing a vehicle leave; they followed until the driver abandoned the car and fled on foot. Witnesses identified the suspect, 18-year-old Mehki Miller, who was arrested that night and initially charged with murder. At a vigil, Wilks’s parents urged peace and pleaded for people to walk away from violence.

Does anyone have information about what led to the dispute that night or knew John and can share more about him?