Police continue search for answers in homicide of 13-year-old Angel Diaz

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  – The Columbus Division of Police is asking for the community’s help in finding out who shot and killed a 13-year-old boy.

It has been more than a week since Angel Diaz was found in the 1300 Block of E. Hudson Street. He was found in an alley in the area, according to investigators. They said a white 2008-2012 Ford Escape with a black bumper and temporary tags was in the area that night. They want to talk with whoever was in it.

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“Right now, all we’re looking for is maybe some information they have,” Commander Mark Denner said. “We’re not saying they are suspects. That vehicle was seen in the area so we’re hoping we can get some details, maybe what they saw, what they heard, maybe what they know. That might help this case and help this family.”

Denner asked anyone who recognizes the vehicle or has connections to it to reach out to police. Neighbors in the area have also been asked to check their surveillance video and share anything that looks odd.

“No information is too little, and we’ll follow up on whatever that is, we owe it to Mr. Diaz, we owe it to the family, we owe it to this community and we want to do everything we can, which is why we’re kind of all out doing every option we can to see what we can explore and solve this case,” Denner said.

Investigators are specifically looking for video between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on April 14. Fliers were also handed out in the area. They have contact information for the lead detective and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers on them. There’s also a QR code which can be used to send video to investigators.

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“It impacts everybody,” Denner said. “It impacts the community, the Linden community specifically in this case, Mr. Diaz’s family who is trying to grieve through this process. It impacts our investigators who are becoming close to this investigation and wanting to solve that. It impacts everybody so that’s why we’re asking everyone to be a part of this.”

Detective Russ Weiner, the lead detective, can be reached at 614-645-2169 or RJWeiner@columbuspolice.org. The number for Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is 614-461-8477.

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