Linden area neighbors say retribution is not a solution to fight crimes

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Police said a case of street justice is likely to cause more heartache than relief for the loved ones of an overdose victim.

Devon Robinson, 26, was arraigned on murder charges Wednesday.

Robinson is one of multiple people accused in the deadly of shooting Mario Copeland, 38, on Sept. 23 at 1235 East Hudson Street. According to a criminal complaint, while the other suspects can be seen on security camera footage surrounding Copeland, the video shows Robinson firing the deadly shots.

CPD said the murder stems from the overdose death of Lithasha Streeter.

According to detectives, the suspects believed Copeland had sold Streeter the drugs and blamed him for her death. According to the criminal complaint against Robinson, all the men seen at the murder scene were also seen on video of the scene where Streeter overdosed on Joan Place. The vehicles they fled the murder scene in were also seen on video at the overdose scene, documents said.

Police also named Rayshawn Rogers, 31, Christian Capers, 34, and Damon Capers, 35 as suspects and noted that none had been taken into custody. CPD said they were trying to identify other persons of interest.

Neighbors who live in the same cul-de-sac as Streeter said they were surprised by the overdose.

“She had recently had some illnesses with diabetes and was exercising and getting her health together,” Netta Ferguson said. “We’d sit out you know with some of the other neighbors. Listen to music. Enjoy the summer. They will cook out and something. She was very giving. If she had it you could get it. If she could do it, she would."

Ferguson said retribution is not a resolution to the crime and hurts more people.

“Hopefully police will get to the bottom of it and it will all come out,” Ferguson said. “If you take the law into your own hands, you are not thinking logically and then you are going to get yourself in trouble."