Madan Thapa, 32, was shot and killed in Columbus on July 12, 2023. Police say the shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. on Beechcroft Road; Thapa was found with a gunshot wound and transported to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:58 a.m.

Investigators arrested 25-year-old Lok Acharya and identified him as the shooter. Police report Acharya took a handgun from the Beechcroft Newstand without telling employees, and while Thapa was driving with Acharya in the vehicle Acharya began handling the weapon. The gun reportedly discharged, striking Thapa in the torso and causing the driver to lose control; the vehicle crashed at Beechcroft Road and Forest Village Lane. Acharya has been charged with reckless homicide and is being held in the Franklin County jail. Authorities ask anyone with information to contact Columbus police detectives.

Did anyone in the area at that time see the vehicle or have information about how the handgun came to be handled in the car?