Columbus police have released surveillance video showing a person of interest walking through an alley near a Weinland Park home where a married couple was killed late last month.
According to the Columbus Division of Police, Spencer and Monique Tepe were shot and killed inside their home sometime between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on the morning of December 30. Detectives believe the shooting occurred upstairs. The couple’s two young children were inside the home at the time and were found safe.
The newly released video shows a person walking in an alley near the Tepe residence during the same early-morning window investigators believe the killings took place. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the individual or has additional information to come forward.
A Family and Neighborhood in Mourning
Family members and neighbors have described Spencer and Monique Tepe as warm, kind, and deeply devoted parents.
Rob Misleh, who is married to Spencer Tepe’s sister, told NBC4 that the family has been leaning on one another in the days since the deaths, struggling to process what happened.
“Disbelief and now anger, just sadness,” Misleh said. “It’s just a wave of emotions that come and go.”
He described Spencer as someone who lit up every room, and Monique as thoughtful and grounding, saying the two balanced each other perfectly and shared a deep love for their children.
A GoFundMe has also been created to support the couple’s two children and the family members caring for them. Organized by Audrey Tepe Mackie, a cousin of Spencer and Monique, the fundraiser describes the couple as “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.”
In the post, Mackie writes that the sudden loss has “changed daily life in ways that are still unfolding,” and says the fund is intended to help provide stability and care for the children as the family takes things “one step at a time.” The fundraiser has drawn an outpouring of support from the community as loved ones continue to grieve.
Neighbors echoed those sentiments, describing the couple as friendly and polite. Some also expressed renewed concern about safety in the area, saying the incident has made them more cautious, especially at night.
What Police Are Asking For
Detectives say they are actively following up on tips and continue to investigate. They stress that the individual shown in the video is considered a person of interest, not a suspect, and that the investigation is ongoing.
Police are asking anyone who was in the area of Summit Street, North Grant Avenue, East 7th Avenue, or East 11th Avenue between midnight and 9 a.m. on December 30 to submit any relevant video or photos. This includes doorbell cameras, security footage, dashcams, or cellphone recordings.
Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Columbus Police evidence portal by calling 614-645-2228, or by contacting Central Ohio Crime Stoppers.
Authorities say community information could be critical in helping detectives identify the person seen in the video and move the investigation forward.
Police say they will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
