Ricky Anderson indicted for murder and reckless homicide in shooting death of Donovan Lewis

Posted on 8/4/2023

Defendant: Ricky Anderson

The Franklin County Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment charging former Columbus Police Officer Ricky Ray Anderson with one count of murder and one count of reckless homicide in the shooting death of Donovan Latrell Lewis that happened on August 30, 2022.

In count one of the indictment, Mr. Anderson is charged with causing the death of Mr. Lewis as a proximate result of committing or attempting to commit felonious assault. Felonious assault is knowingly causing serious physical harm to another. Count two of the indictment charges Mr. Anderson with recklessly causing the death of Mr. Lewis. To act recklessly is to act with heedless indifference to the consequences by disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk.

The indictment came as a result of a thorough and comprehensive investigation conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Special Investigations Unit — Major Crimes, which is part of the Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The BCI investigation was received and reviewed by Special Prosecutors Gary S. Shroyer and H. Tim Merkle who were appointed by the Franklin County Common Pleas Court at the request of Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney G. Gary Tyack. Following the review by the special prosecutors they made a presentation to the Franklin County Grand Jury that resulted in today's indictment.