Four Men Sentenced for 2023 Fatal Shooting of Columbus Teen
Published on October 16, 2026
Columbus, OH – Today, a judge sentenced three Columbus men for their roles in the 2023 fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy.
Michael T. Bowles, 23, Mi’Quel Bowles, 21, and Russell Hargrove-Madison, 19, all pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of Imperial Stewart, 17.
On September 29, 2026, Michael T. Bowles pleaded guilty to the following:
- Involuntary Manslaughter with a 3-year firearm specification
- Aggravated Robbery
- Tampering with Evidence
- Gross Abuse of a Corpse
- Weapons Under Disability
He was sentenced to 30-35.5 years in prison.
On September 29, 2026, Mi’Quel Bowles pleaded guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter with a 3-year firearm specification. Bowles was sentenced to 12-16.5 years in prison.
On October 5, 2026, Russell Hargrove-Madison pleaded guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter with a 3-year firearm specification and Aggravated Robbery with a 3-year firearm specification. He was sentenced to 16-19.5years in prison.
Case Background
On September 20, 2023, the three defendants picked up 17-year-old Imperial Stewart from his Far East Columbus home. During the outing, Michael T. Bowles—armed and unable to make a car payment owed to his brother, Mi’Quel—decided to rob Stewart. Although Mi’Quel described Stewart as his friend, he admitted he did not want his brother to commit the robbery alone.
After leaving a shoe store and stopping at a gas station, Stewart attempted to purchase a firearm, transferring $240 via Cash App to Michael T. Bowles. Hargrove-Madison then grabbed the gun back, and when Stewart tried to recover the item he had paid for, Michael T. Bowles shot him in the chest, killing him. The bullet also struck Mi’Quel Bowles in the backseat.
Following the shooting, the men attempted to cover up the crime. Michael dropped off the wounded Mi’Quel at a Dawson Avenue residence, where residents inside the home called 911. Michael then transported Stewart’s body in the vehicle, ultimately dumping him in a wooded area off Agler Road. Later, Michael, Hargrove-Madison, and another associate enlisted Mi’Quel’s girlfriend to help burn the car. The car was driven to Hanners Park in Canal Winchester and set on fire.
Michael T. Bowles, Mi’Quel Bowles, and Russell Hargrove-Madison were all arrested in October 2023.
Michael R. Bowles Jr., who pled guilty to Tampering with Evidence on December 23, 2023 was also sentenced today to 60 days in the Franklin County Jail followed by 2 years of Community Control.
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