Reginald Prince Purnell was a 48-year-old Black man remembered by his family for warmth, kindness, and interests in basketball, music, poetry and the study of his Moorish American ancestors’ culture. He lived in Columbus, Ohio, worked as a security guard for Allied Security, and was husband to Jeryll and father to sons Reginald and DeAngelo and daughters Latrina and Retrina.

On the afternoon of June 24, 2024, Purnell was shot inside a home on the 1200 block of Seymour Avenue in southeast Columbus. His body and that of 45-year-old Darrell Walker were discovered the next morning shortly before 10 a.m., after a 911 caller reported someone lying on the floor. Police initially had no suspects and asked the public for information, then began examining cell phone data, video footage and text messages linked to the case.

Court documents state that Purnell and his 31-year-old son, Reginald M. Purnell, arrived at the Seymour Avenue residence at 2:47 p.m. on June 24 and that investigators allege they went there intending to burglarize the home. During the incident, both the elder Purnell and Walker suffered fatal gunshot wounds and the younger Purnell reportedly fled, leaving personal items behind that tied him to the scene.

If anyone has information about the events on Seymour Avenue that afternoon, please come forward.