SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A quiet mid‑week morning turned into heartbreak in this Midwestern city Wednesday when 23‑year‑old Ceyion Forrest was shot and killed near his home on Middle Street. What started as a routine late‑morning moment for many became a source of grief for a family and a community still struggling to make sense of the loss.
Police with the Springfield Division responded around 9:56 a.m. to the 1000 block of Middle Street after a call came in reporting a shooting. When officers arrived, they found Forrest suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency crews rushed him to Springfield Regional Medical Center, but he later died from his injuries. His death was confirmed by police spokespeople and remains under investigation.
Authorities said a 20‑year‑old suspect, Douglas Hall Jr., was located shortly after the shooting and taken into custody without incident. Hall is being held at the Clark County Jail, where he faces charges of murder and felonious assault in connection with the fatal shooting.
Dispatch recordings and court filings released by police tell a troubling story of how the shooting unfolded. A woman who called 911 told dispatchers her brother had shot her boyfriend after a fight between the two men. She said Hall took the gun from her bedroom before the fatal shot was fired. In the background of that call, she reported that two babies were in the home during the shooting — innocent children suddenly caught in a frightening moment.
As officers worked to piece together the scene, witnesses told investigators Hall moved in and out of the house during the 911 call, eventually retreating to a bathroom when police arrived. Officers were able to take him into custody without further violence.
This tragic shooting stands as Springfield’s first homicide of 2026, a sobering and painful marker for a community that has seen its share of gun violence. Forrest wasn’t just a name in a report; he was a young man with plans, relationships, and people who loved him. Many residents have since spoken about the gap his loss leaves behind.
Family members and friends described Forrest as someone full of life and hope, and in the days since his death, they’ve shared memories that paint a picture of a young man whose future seemed full of promise. In the quiet that followed the chaos, neighbors lit candles, shared stories, and gathered to remember his smile.
Police continue to investigate what led up to the shooting and are asking anyone with information to contact the Springfield Police Division. In the meantime, the community mourns a life cut short, grappling with the pain of the loss and hoping justice and healing can follow.
