A Franklin County judge sentenced 30-year-old Gage Smith to six years in prison for the reckless homicide of his girlfriend, Autumn Ward, whom he shot in the head in January 2025. Smith, who pleaded guilty to lesser charges, will be released in less than five years after credit for time served. Ward's mother decried the sentence as unfair.
On January 7, 2025, Columbus police responded to a disturbance call at the 100 block of Chittenden Avenue around 7:21 a.m. They found 32-year-old Autumn Ward unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. Medics pronounced her dead at 7:49 a.m. Smith had called 911 himself, telling officers he was responsible for her death, and investigators identified domestic violence as a possible motive. He had used ketamine the night before and kept a loaded firearm under a pillow, according to court documents and prosecutors. Authorities initially charged Smith with murder, but he pleaded guilty to reckless homicide with a firearm specification and drug possession. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Carl Aveni imposed a six-year term this week, below the seven-year maximum under the plea deal. With time served credited, Smith faces less than five years behind bars. Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Lenert told the court that evidence did not support intent to kill, calling it reckless handling of a firearm that cut short Ward's life. Smith's attorney, Paul Olah, said his client was not a perfect boyfriend but not a murderer. Smith apologized in court, saying he loved Ward, never meant for it to happen, and would remain accountable for his recklessness. Ward's mother, Karen Ward, called the outcome 'not fair,' telling WSYX she expected at least 20 years and believed the shooting was no accident. 'He killed Autumn, let her lay there dead for hours and didn't call for help. He just wanted to get high,' she said.