Former Officer Ricky Anderson Pleads Guilty in Death of Donavan Lewis

Published on September 03, 2026

COLUMBUS -- Today, Former Columbus Police Officer Ricky Anderson, 63, pleaded guilty to Reckless Homicide in the death of Donavan Lewis, 20. Anderson was charged with Murder and Reckless Homicide.

Case Background

On August 30, 2022, at approximately 2 a.m., four Columbus Police Officers went to Donovan Lewis's home to serve a misdemeanor arrest warrant. The warrant was based on an allegation of misdemeanor domestic violence and assault filed on August 10, 2022. 

The officers knocked on Mr. Lewis’s door for approximately 10 minutes. Two houseguests, who were spending the night, opened the door and were detained. The officers radioed for a K-9 unit to assist in clearing the home. Former Columbus Police Officer Ricky Anderson responded with the police dog.  Body-worn camera shows that while the dog was clearing the home, an interior door shut. The dog indicated that there was a person in that room.  

Anderson and 2 other police officers entered the home.  The officers positioned themselves around the closed door. As Anderson opened the door, he is seen on body-worn camera drawing his weapon and shooting Mr. Lewis, who is seen sitting up in his bed, raising his hands. 

Analysis of the body-worn camera showed that less than two seconds elapsed between Anderson beginning to open the door and firing his gun. Anderson stated that he thought Lewis had a weapon in his hand.  A vape pen was later found in Lewis’s bed. 

Officers provided medical care until medics arrived and transported Lewis to Grant Hospital, where he died. 

Anderson will be sentenced at a later date.

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