Who's Kintie Mitchell Jr? How 18-year-old was arrested for shooting Mahwah High School football star Chase Meola
COLUMBUS, OHIO: A former New Jersey high school star football player attending Ohio State University was fatally gunned down near campus on Sunday, October 11, after an altercation erupted following a frat party.
The fatal shooting took place in an alley on the 100 block of 14th Avenue at approximately 2.10 am ET. Reports indicate the shooting was the result of an altercation after people were asked to leave a party in the area, according to the safety alert.
Chase Meola, 23, a fifth-year student from Mahwah, studying finance at OSU, was found shot dead in an alley, the university’s public safety department said. Meola was declared dead on the scene and his body was found with a gunshot wound. Meola was a running back, safety and free safety on a pair of state championship football teams. He also played lacrosse. Meola played for the Mahwah High School Thunderbirds, who in 2015 won a sectional title. A student in the university’s Fisher School of Business, the Bergen County native said on his LinkedIn profile he aspired to be a financial analyst. "Wall Street is where I would like to see myself in the near future. Ohio State was a great place for me learn and perfect all my skills," he wrote.
A GoFundMe page was created for his financial support, that reads, "Chase Joseph Meola tragically passed away on October 11th at 2:09 am. Chase was a brother, son, uncle and friend to many. He was light in everyone’s life and will be dearly missed by those he touched. I’m organizing this fundraiser to help cover any and all costs related to Chase’s funeral and to support his family. All donations, small or big, are greatly appreciated and mean the world to those affected. Chase will remain in our hearts forever." The fundraiser created with a target of $40,000, as now raised $35,227 in 5 hours.
"The Ohio State University community is in mourning, and our deepest condolences and support go to the family and friends of Chase," OSU wrote in the alert, adding students in need of support are encouraged to use counseling services by calling 614-292-5766. Faculty and staff who need support are encouraged to call the Employee Assistance Program at 800-678-6265.
Who is Kintie Lanod Mitchell Jr?
Kintie Lanod Mitchell Jr, 18, of Columbus was arrested and charged with murder, for allegedly killing Meola. He had been arrested earlier this year on burglary charges in connection with a home break-in. Police said Mitchell was not an Ohio State student and they were trying to determine how he turned up at the party. Mitchell is due in Franklin County Municipal Court on October 13.
"We're going to continue to gather the facts to figure out why (Mitchell) was there and… not only what led him to a house on campus but what led him specifically to that gathering and that party," Columbus Police sergeant James Fuqua said, according to the Daily Voice.
Earlier, Mitchell was put behind the bars in February 2020 for escaping from police inside Columbus Police Headquarters. He fled away from the police station after being arrested on February 13, 2020, in connection with a home break-in on Dartmouth Avenue. According to Franklin County Municipal Court charging documents, "Officers J Phalen and R Kindler observed Mitchell carrying a green backpack, running eastbound from the area of Dartmouth Avenue. Officers thought that Mitchell may have committed a burglary and attempted to conduct an investigatory stop. Officers recovered several jewelry items from Mr Mitchell’s person, including a high school class ring, and a key fob."