A shooting early Saturday morning on the Hilltop resulted in the death of a teacher from Columbus City Schools.
Around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, Columbus police say they responded to a ShotSpotter alert of gunshots near Floral and Belvidere avenues. Officers received additional reports of a shooting at a residence in the 100 block of Belvidere Avenue while they were on their way to the scene.
According to police, officers discovered Jamika Ann Tashawna Summerville, 25, with a gunshot wound. In critical condition, Summerville was brought to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center. She was pronounced dead around 2:15 a.m. On Saturday, Columbus police said there were no suspects and no known motive for the shooting.
Summerville was shot and killed just a few blocks from Highland Elementary School on the Hilltop, where she was employed as an instructional assistant for special education. According to Jacqueline Bryant, a spokesperson for the district, she worked at Highland for five years and was also a graduate of Columbus City Schools.
Summerville, in Bryant’s words, “presented a positive impression in the classroom,” a friend to all, and a dedicated and passionate educator.
Monday, the CARE Team and the Wellness Team of the district will be available to support staff and students who are experiencing sadness or anxiety and to assist them in processing their feelings.
Bryant stated, “We know young children may occasionally appear unfazed by what has happened or require guidance to process their feelings.” We encourage students’ families to talk to them about their feelings.”