A man accused of a string of violent crimes in Columbus, including three drive-by shootings, will spend the next two decades in prison.
Shayla D. Favor, Franklin County prosecutor, announced Wednesday a 25-year jail sentence for 20-year-old Kaden Ratcliff.
Ratcliff pled guilty to five felony charges stemming from three drive-by shootings, a robbery, and the possession of numerous machine gun conversion kits and automatic weapons.
One of the shootings occurred on September 17, 2025, when Ratcliff and others carried out a drive-by at a South Third Street residence. The house was hit many times by gunfire while three people were inside. There were no injuries inside the house during the shooting.
Ratcliff was involved in another drive-by shooting only five days later, on September 22. The shooting occurred at a home on East Blake Avenue. It was eventually discovered that the shooters had targeted the incorrect residence while seeking for someone else. A 13-year-old boy who was getting ready for school was shot in the leg and crotch, while his mother was hit in the arm.
The youngster was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery. Investigators discovered 28 shot casings, and at least one fully automatic handgun was utilized.
Ratcliff was involved in another drive-by shooting and robbery, and he possessed many automatic weapons and Glock switches.
Multiple defendants were engaged in several of the occurrences, each with their own case pending.
Ratcliff’s plea deal calls for him to serve 25 to 26 years in prison.
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