Clues sought in young father’s killing

Almost four years to the date, 22-year-old Keith Marsh stepped outside an apartment to smoke a cigarette and was shot to death.

Witnesses heard about four shots.

It was 10:44 p.m. on May 8, 2014, when the shooting happened in the 200 block of Mayfair Boulevard at a girlfriend’s residence.

Marsh managed to stumble back into the apartment in Eastmoor, where he collapsed on the kitchen floor. Someone tried to the stop the bleeding as they waited for paramedics to arrive. A caller told a 911 dispatcher that Marsh did not know who shot him. He never made it to the hospital. He was pronounced dead by paramedics.

Karen Walker, 50, lost her only child that day.

“It’s still fresh. They haven’t found his murderer and basically we’re living in limbo,” she said. “We just want justice for him.”

She said Marsh received a phone call shortly before the shooting.

“(Columbus) police had confiscated his phone. We haven’t heard from the detectives in over two years. Marsh I don’t want his case to go cold,” Walker said.

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward to anyone who submits information leading to an arrest or indictment of the gunman. Tipsters remain anonymous.

Marsh, who worked in heating and air-conditioning, left behind a daughter who is now 9 years old.

“He was good kid. He was just a good young man,” Walker said. “It just baffles us. He didn’t have enemies like that.”

Marsh’s daughter spends weekends with Walker.

“She looks so much like him. She acts like him. She gets good grades. ... That’s the only thing I have left of him is her,” Walker said. “Even though at the time she didn’t understand, now she’s getting to the point ... she misses her father. She’s growing up.”

Walker is hoping someone comes forward with information.

“Do the right thing. ... We all miss him,” she said. “We just want justice for Keith.”

Anyone with information can call 614-461-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at stopcrime.org. Tips also can be submitted by downloading a free application called P3 Tips onto a smartphone.