Line-cutting dispute at Ohio Kroger ends with 1 person dead

Dean Narciso, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read
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Columbus police use yellow tape to cordon off a crime scene.
Columbus police use yellow tape to cordon off a crime scene.

A line-cutting dispute inside an Ohio Kroger Thursday night escalated into a robbery attempt with one man being shot to death by a security guard.

The incident began around 10 p.m. inside the Columbus Kroger at 1745 Morse Road, with one or more people accusing another of cutting in line, said police detective Chris Journey.

"It was basically between customers and a security guard asked them to leave," said Journey. "It was basically about cutting in line … about being impatient."

Within about 10 minutes, one of the individuals came back and continued to argue with others in the parking lot and attempted to rob another at gunpoint, "kind of like a retaliation," said Journey.

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The incident outside erupted in gunfire with multiple rounds exchanged, said Journey. No one was injured.

That's when the private security guard noticed and went outside.

"He was paying attention and came outside to see what was happening and he fired his weapon."

Journey said that the guard, who is not being named, "felt threatened for his life."

The victim, also not yet being named, was taken Riverside Methodist Hospital where he died shortly after arriving.

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Police: 'Overall, Columbus is safe and it's safe to shop at Kroger'

Police have interviewed multiple witnesses most with consistent stories, said Journey. Weapons were recovered in the parking lot.

Police have not said if charges will be filed in connection to the shooting or robbery attempt. Police are seeking others involved. But no arrests have been made.

"Overall, Columbus is safe and it's safe to shop at Kroger," Journey said. "You have these rare instances throughout the nation.

This is Columbus' 69th homicide.

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dnarciso@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man killed at Ohio Kroger after line-cutting dispute, robbery attempt