After nine in the first 10 days of August, the city of Columbus is on pace to set a new record for the most homicides in a year.
In 2017, the city had 143 homicides.
One of the victims from this past weekend, Ellen Lakey, was just standing in her kitchen when she was shot by a stray bullet.
“I am thankful and amazed there was only one victim. Unfortunately, it was one that was very important to me,” Ellen's daughter, Tania Lakey said.
Early Saturday morning, the 64-year-old Ellen was in her kitchen inside her apartment when a shootout happened blocks away.
“I thought about my mother. That could have been my mother, she loves to be in the kitchen. She loves to cook,” Columbus Police Sergeant James Fuqua said.
She was just one resident who was shot and killed over the weekend.
Comparing year-to-date with 2017, Columbus is on pace to beat that record with 84 people killed in 2020. In the same time frame, it was 81 at this time three years ago.
Felonious assaults are also up from the record-setting year by more than 200.
Every community across the area has seen the violence.
“We need the public's help. A lot of shootings, in my opinion, could have been prevented because if you know someone who may be involved in illegal activity or someone you know that may possess a firearm that should not have one, you have to tell us,” said Sgt. Fuqua.
Tania says her mom was an avid news watcher and loved her grandson. She doesn't want any other family to go through what her family is feeling right now.
“I want them to know there's not a reason for it. There's not a good reason for any of this,” Tania said.