Alejandro Lopez-Lechuga, a 39-year-old Hispanic man who worked in construction and roofing, was shot and killed in the early morning of November 20, 2024, at an apartment complex in northeast Columbus, Ohio. He confronted a person attempting to break into his work van near Princess Place and Jester Lane; according to his brother, the suspect opened fire, shooting Alejandro multiple times and also firing at his brother. Lopez-Lechuga was transported to St. Ann’s Hospital and pronounced dead. An autopsy found a gunshot wound to the torso and his death was ruled a homicide.

Columbus police used surveillance footage to identify a suspect and his vehicle, followed the suspect from his residence, and attempted a traffic stop. Officers say the suspect fled on foot carrying a rifle and officers fired, striking him. The suspect was taken to a local hospital in stable condition and identified as Ricardo Ramirez, 16 years old; he was charged with murder and the rifle believed to be the homicide weapon was recovered. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation opened a separate inquiry into the officer-involved shooting.

Do readers in that area have information about the confrontation or the person who attempted to break into the van?