Police: Shooter had gone on crime spree

A 25-year-old Zanesville man who was shot Sunday while attempting to steal a vehicle at a gas station in Morrow County had gone on a crime spree in Columbus a short time earlier, according to Columbus police.

Keith Moser died at the scene, as did Meagan Kennedy Stanford, of Greenville, South Carolina, who was shot by Moser as he attempted to steal Stanford's minivan, which was at a gas pump at a gas station near the Interstate 71 and State Route 61 interchange near Marengo.

The Morrow County Sheriff's office said that around 6:55 p.m. Sunday, Moser attempted to steal the minivan and shot Stanford before turning to a U-haul truck that was in the area. The male driver of the U-haul returned fire at Moser and a fight ensued. Moser was also struck during the melee, dying from his injuries.

Columbus police said in the hour preceding the Marengo shooting, Moser stole multiple vehicles in Columbus, primarily on the city's Northwest Side.

Around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, a police report was filed after Moser reportedly shot at a vehicle that was left running, but locked, outside a gas station on the 4000 block of Kenny Road. Moser allegedly stole the Chevrolet, leaving his Toyota behind at that gas station.

A few minutes later, the Chevrolet was found abandoned on Starrett Road, also on the Northwest Side. Residents on the 200 block of Henderson Road reported shots being fired in the area around the same time, as well as an attempted robbery and home invasion. Moser reportedly stole a white BMW from that scene.

Around 6:45 p.m., a police report was filed with Columbus police after a food delivery driver reported they had been shot at on the 400 block of Glenmont Avenue in Clintonville.

While those reports were being filed, Moser allegedly was headed north on I-71 into Morrow County. He then attempted to steal a vehicle on the off ramp from I-71 north to State Route 61, firing shots at that vehicle, according to police. Moser then went to the gas station — about 25 miles north of Glenmont Avenue — where he was killed.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting the Morrow County Sheriff's office with their investigation into the deaths of Stanford and Moser. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner