She was her family's pride and joy. 17-year-old Makenzi Marie Ridley had just graduated from high school and had big plans for what was supposed to be a new chapter, but instead ended up being the final one.
“I still can't go to Mount Carmel East. When I got there there were over 300 people just in the parking lot and then all of a sudden I hear crying, “ said Ridley's grandmother Darnetta Ridley Jefferson.
Many who had been gathered at the park on June 24, 2021 with Makenzi joined her mother and other family members at Mt. Carmel East hospital to hear the heartbreaking news. The barrage of bullets that rang out that Thursday night had struck and killed the promising teen just a couple of months before she was set to head off to college.
Jefferson along with her daughter, Seneca, Makenzi’s mom, belong to Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC), a group formed to keep the memory of their lost children alive and help bring the people that killed them to justice.
Nearly 8 months after Makenzi was gunned down her killer still walks free.
“But what genuinely hurts me is this is not slowing down, and nobody's speaking up,” said Jefferson.
That hurt and pain is something Brenda Johnson, also a member of MOMCC knows all too well.
The details of her 29-year-old son James Johnson's murder continue to play out in her head a year after he stopped for the fill-up that cost him his life. That stop robbed his family, fiancé and 6 children of their loved one forever.
“He came out of the gas station and that's when somebody just started firing shots at him. He made it to the car and drove himself to UDF on Sullivant and the police were called. When they got there, he was unconscious,” Johnson said.
Veteran Columbus Police Officer Robert Strausbaugh became commander of the Major Crimes unit 20 months ago and has been busy. Murders in the city have gone up 90% in the last three years and in 2021 Columbus broke a record for homicides. It was the deadliest year in the city's history.
“When I got over there I just started looking at how we could do things a little differently and how we can spark more interest in people calling us and giving us tips,” said Strausbaugh.
Strausbaugh said the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children group helped him think outside the box. Those mothers relentlessly check-in with Detectives, often offering ideas, tips, and of course lots of questions. A lot of research and a police conference later, the Columbus Police Department launched their unsolved homicide database, where anyone can offer information, evidence or tips anonymously online.
“I really wanted to get the public involved to get information on the unsolved murders,” he said.
The website includes a picture of the victim and all the known details of their case. Members of MOMCC hope that the effort leads to convictions.
Brenda Johnson is still routinely passing out flyers and hoping for a long-overdue break in her son's case.
“Nobody's willing to come forward. It was actually two men and a getaway driver who did this, and nobody, I mean I know people are talking on the streets, I've heard talk, but nobody's willing to actually come forward, “said Johnson.
With the help of teachers, neighbors, family, and friends, the Orange Hearts for Makenzi foundation keeps Makenzi's legacy alive. The foundation was developed to help others through scholarship and mentorship. Helping others live their dreams just like the talented teen they senselessly lost, who they say was on her way to changing the world.
