Columbus Woman Charged with Murder After Fatal Shooting of Ex-Boyfriend in Possible Self-Defense Case

Columbus woman charged with murder in shooting incident involving ex-boyfriend; case highlights self-defense and domestic violence issues.

A Columbus woman has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of her ex-boyfriend in a parking lot at a Worthington apartment complex. Authorities suggest the incident may have been linked to domestic violence.

Claire Touvell, 23, is accused of shooting and killing 22-year-old Stephen Horton on Monday night. According to police reports, Touvell called 911 and informed dispatchers that she had shot Horton.

When officers arrived at the apartment complex on Proprietors Road, they found Horton lying in the parking lot with a gunshot wound. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at 10:13 p.m. Investigators recovered a Ruger handgun at the scene. Touvell was taken into custody and charged with murder. According to police, she declined to answer further questions following her arrest.

Court records indicate a history of alleged domestic violence between the two. Horton had been previously accused of assaulting Touvell, with one report stating he had broken her jaw and made repeated threats against her life.

Daniel Sabol, Touvell’s attorney, has described the case as a clear instance of self-defense. In a statement to The Dispatch, he claimed Horton had violated a protection order and was waiting near Touvell’s car when the confrontation occurred. Sabol stated that Horton ambushed Touvell, attempting to kidnap her, which led to the fatal shooting.

“Claire had no choice but to defend herself,” Sabol said. “She immediately called 911 and even attempted CPR on her attacker. Horton’s death was the result of his own actions.”

This was not the first alleged violent encounter between the two. According to court records, in November 2024, Touvell went to Horton’s residence to retrieve her belongings after their breakup. An argument ensued, during which Horton allegedly prevented her from leaving and threatened her life. Touvell managed to escape, but Horton reportedly pursued her in his vehicle, ramming her car while they were on Interstate 70 before fleeing the scene.

Despite these incidents, records do not show any prior convictions or jail sentences for Horton.

Touvell was arraigned on Wednesday and is being held on a $25,000 bond at the Franklin County jail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 14.