Columbus — Friends and family are trying to make sense of a senseless loss after 36‑year‑old Dekevin Louis was found shot and dead inside a building on Lockbourne Road early Wednesday. The discovery has shaken the South Side community as investigators work to untangle what happened.
Police were called just after 7:30 a.m. when the property owner came to check on the building in the 1600 block of Lockbourne Road and found Louis unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Officers who responded pronounced him dead at the scene.
What frustrates detectives is that no one reported hearing gunshots. There were no 911 calls or ShotSpotter alerts overnight, leaving investigators unsure about exactly when the shooting happened. Detectives are searching for nearby surveillance footage and talking with neighbors to build a timeline.
The building where Louis was found is known locally as a place where people gather after hours. Neighbors say it has been a source of trouble before, though it’s not clear whether the owner knew people were using it that way. Police say they had no prior calls to this address.
At this stage, authorities have not identified any suspects. They have also said the wound does not appear to be self‑inflicted. There is still no public information on a possible motive or anyone linked to the shooting.
Those who knew Louis describe him as someone with a calm presence and good heart. In an instant, his family lost a loved one and the community lost a neighbor. His death leaves many unanswered questions.
Investigators are urging anyone who was in the area late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning to come forward with any information. They hope that someone, somewhere, saw or heard something that can help.
