By: Richard L. Smith
A popular former Newark, NJ, resident was fatally shot following a large-scale brawl outside a restaurant near the Ohio State University campus early Monday morning.
According to a statement released by Columbus, Ohio Police this morning, the physical altercation, which involved up to 20 people, occurred at the Waffle House on North High Street in the University District around 2:30 a.m.
Police said the violent fight inside the restaurant escalated quickly, with individuals throwing chairs and engaging in physical altercations.
The melee spilled outside, where Ronald Diggs, 38, also known as 'Ry' Yon Shugahbear Tajoure,' was discovered with a gunshot wound to the chest approximately half a block north of the Waffle House on the sidewalk.
Police said emergency responders transported Diggs to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead at 3:06 a.m.
Currently, no suspects have been detained, and authorities are continuing to interview potential witnesses without any clear leads on potential suspects.
The motive behind the shooting remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether Diggs was specifically targeted or merely caught in the crossfire while attempting to flee the scene.
The area around North High Street remained cordoned off well into the morning as the investigation persisted.
RLS Media has learned that Ronald Diggs was a graduate of Newark Arts High School, class of 2003, and had since moved away from New Jersey.
His death has left family and friends in Newark mourning the loss of their beloved former resident.
