Ohio Man, 53, Brutally Beaten to Death by 3 Teens Outside Grocery Store Who Laughed During Attack: Police - The Messenger
It's time to break the news.The Messenger's slogan

Three Ohio teenagers were charged with murder on Wednesday after they allegedly beat a 53-year-old man to death outside a grocery store.

Dionta Hughes, 18, Jamarion Evans-Bennett, 19, and Jayden Agee, 17, allegedly engaged in an altercation with other individuals inside a Kroger in Columbus on Dec. 6, the Columbus Division of Police told WBNS.

Security asked the teenagers to leave the store. Once they were outside, they allegedly engaged in another physical fight with Donald Smith Jr.

The teenagers are accused of waiting for Smith to leave the store before knocking him to the ground. They then allegedly began to punch, kick and stomp on Smith, according to the station.

The suspects fled after a witness with a gun yelled and told them to stop. The witness told police that the teenagers were allegedly laughing and enjoying themselves as they assaulted Smith.

Jamarion Evans-Bennett (left) and Dionta Hughes (right), along with a juvenile, were charged with murder in a 53-year-old man's death.
Jamarion Evans-Bennett (left) and Dionta Hughes (right), along with a juvenile, were charged with murder in a 53-year-old man's death.Franklin County Jail

Responding officers found Smith suffering from severe head injuries, according to court documents obtained by the station. He was unconscious and bleeding from his head.

He was taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition and died from his injuries on Monday.

"Donnie was an amazing person," Nicole Evans, Smith's partner of 20 years, told WSYX. "He was a great father. He loved his kids. They were his world."

Hughes, Evans-Bennett and Agee were arrested on murder charges on Wednesday. The charges were upgraded from felonious assault following Smith's death, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Smith's death remains under investigation.

The Messenger Newsletters
Essential news, exclusive reporting and expert analysis delivered right to you. All for free.
 
By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.
Thanks for signing up!
You are now signed up for our newsletters.