North Linden man facing murder charge in shooting death of roommate Thursday afternoon

A roommate dispute in North Linden turned fatal Thursday afternoon, with one man dead and another man facing murder charges.

Brian J. Sias, 37, of North Linden, is charged with murder in the shooting death of his roommate, 29-year-old William Applegate, Thursday afternoon at their home in North Linden.

Columbus police received a call just after 1:20 p.m. on a report of a roommate dispute in the 1200 block of Manchester Avenue, Columbus 911 dispatchers said.

While officers were traveling to the scene, they learned of a shooting at that same location. On arrival, they found Sias outside of the home with his hands in the air. They immediately arrested Sias and confiscated a gun that police said was in the pocket of his hoodie.

Officers entered the home and found Applegate suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers administered first aid until Columbus fire arrived, but Applegate died from his injuries at 1:31 p.m.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Sias and Applegate got into an argument after Sias asked Applegate to move out of the residence. Sias told detectives that Applegate pushed him to the ground and began beating on him. Sias said that when he fell, his gun fell out of his pocket, and he grabbed it, turned around, and shot Applegate in the chest.

After shooting Applegate, he called 911 and reportedly said "I shot Billie."

A witness who was at the scene told detectives that Sias and Applegate were arguing about the living situation when Sias struck Applegate in his head. Applegate hit Sias back and he fell to the ground. The witness said that Applegate was standing next to Sias when she heard a gunshot.

Sias is scheduled for an arraignment on Friday at 9 a.m.

smeighan@dispatch.com

@ShahidMeighan