Kenjuan Howard

Kenjuan Howard, a 26-year-old Black man described by loved ones as a family-oriented, passionate, and selfless father, worked as a mover in his community. His life was cut short on the evening of November 27, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio.

At approximately 6:39 p.m., Howard was in the North Linden neighborhood, engaged in a conversation with three other individuals near a convenience store at the intersection of East Weber Road and McGuffey Road. According to police, the group parted ways and began leaving in different directions when one of the individuals, Payton Rice, fired a gun. Howard was struck by the gunfire.

First responders were dispatched to the scene following a report of the shooting. They found Kenjuan Howard suffering from a gunshot wound and pronounced him dead at 6:45 p.m. The Columbus Division of Police Homicide Unit began an investigation and released images of three persons of interest who were seen with Howard shortly before his death.

The day after the shooting, on November 28, officers responded to a disturbance near the same intersection and located the suspect. Police arrested Payton Rice, who was 17 years old at the time, and charged him with murder and two counts of felonious assault. He was taken to the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. Investigators later announced that the other two juveniles who had been with the group were not involved in the shooting and were not considered suspects.

The case against Payton Rice proceeded through the justice system. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter for his role in the death of Kenjuan Howard. In June 2026, Rice was sentenced to prison, bringing the case to a legal conclusion.