Family of man killed in robbery offer reward
The family of a man shot to death in August 2019 is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in his case.
Dalton Diaz, 54, of the Far East Side was found unresponsive inside his Toyota RAV4, which had crashed into the playground equipment outside the Driving Park Community Recreation Center around 7 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2019.
Diaz was rushed to Ohiohealth Grant Medical Center, but he died from his injuries.
Neighbors in the area said they had heard gunshots before the crash and saw a person dressed in black running through the area at the same time.
An investigation by Columbus police homicide detectives determined Diaz had been buying and selling electronics online through apps like Letgo, Offerup and Craigslist, and may have been the victim of a robbery. Diaz’s GPS had a last-entered address on the 1100 block of Columbus Street, where detectives suspect he may have arranged to meet someone prior to the shooting.
Evidence showed a bullet entered his RAV4, striking the back of the driver’s seat and Diaz in the back, going through his body, detectives said. Diaz attempted to drive away, but crashed into a playground area near the recreation center.
Diaz’s family is partnering with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers to offer the $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment.
Anyone with information is asked to call 614-461-TIPS, submit information at www.stopcrime.org or use the free P3 Tips mobile application to provide a tip.
All tips to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers are anonymous. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner