COLUMBUS, Ohio — One year ago, father-to-be Andrew Combs was fatally shot while trying to stop a robbery at the Sunoco gas station on West Broad Street in Columbus.
The Columbus Division of Police said when Combs tried to stop the robbery, the suspects shot and killed him. Now, Combs' family is suing the gas station, claiming the business did not do enough to maintain safety.
“Andrew's life was tragically taken right in front of my eyes when I was 19 weeks pregnant. It was pain on me, it took my whole life away,” explained his fiancé, Victoria Perez.
Combs and Perez had stopped at the gas station on the way home from Christmas shopping on Dec. 13, 2022 when the shooting happened.
“It's been a hard year, a really hard year,” said Combs' mother, Deborah Combs.
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Two teens, Dreyton Johnson, who was 16 at the time, and William Armstead, who was 17 at the time, have been arrested and charged in connection to his death.
Both are waiting to hear if they will be tried as adults.
Combs' family argues in a lawsuit the gas station should also be held accountable.
According to a lawsuit that will be filed on the anniversary of his death, Perez believes gas station workers did not do enough to help Combs.
“Where were you when Andrew was lying defenseless on the ground, still in your store? You didn't even call 9-1-1. I had to do that. I had to be the one on the ground trying to save his life. That traumatized me,” Perez said with tears in her eyes.
Attorneys for the family argue that the Sunoco location had numerous reports of criminal activity, and are claiming in the lawsuit the company's "gross negligence and recklessness in failing to provide adequate security measures at the subject property."
“It's about sending a message to businesses in this community that you need to keep your property safe and free of crime. The family doesn't want something like this to happen somewhere else,” said Jonathan Bond, attorney for the family.
Bond said it's also about providing a financial future to now 7-month old Kyzer, who will never meet his father.
“We want to see justice for Andrew. Andrew's life mattered. He was on the verge of so many great things,” said Deborah.
“I still grieve every day. I don't think that is ever going to change. I really want justice,” Perez said.
10TV reached out to Sunoco for comment but has not heard back.