Father of 3 remembered after being beaten to death outside supermarket

A father of three who died nearly two weeks after being severely beaten outside a South Columbus supermarket is now being remembered by family and friends.

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Donnie Smith, 53, the father of three, died Monday after he was attacked onDec. 6 outside a Kroger Supermarket at The Great Southern Shopping Center on South High Street.

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"Donnie was an amazing person," said Nicole Evans, as she described her partner of 20 years and the father of her 15-year-old son and six-year-old daughter. "He was a great father, he loved his kids, they were his world."

Evans says Smith was grocery shopping with friends when the incident happened.

According to a Columbus Police report obtained by WSYX:

"Three men engaged in an altercation with patrons inside the location. As a result, the suspects were asked to leave by security. Once outside, a physical altercation ensued between three males and the victim."

A witness tells WSYX that Smith was ambushed by the group after he walked out of the Kroger supermarket. Smith was found a short time later by a store worker, brutally beaten near the pharmacy drive-thru.

"They just grabbed him and beat him to death," said Evans. "It was a random act of violence."

Smith was taken to a local hospital in critical condition with severe brain injuries.

"It sickening," said Evans, "I don't know how anyone could do that to a human being."

Evans says Smith was a painter, worked construction, and had no insurance.

Family and friends have created an online fundraising account to help his young children during their time of need.

"It's heartbreaking," said Evans. "I want him to have a proper burial for his children."

Columbus police now investigating the deadly beating. No charges have been filed. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 614-645-4730.