Black Lives Matter Activist Kills Himself at Ohio Statehouse

A man who killed himself on the steps of the Statehouse was an activist on issues of social justice who also worked with young people, the homeless and the Black Lives Matter movement, according to a newspaper.

Relatives of 23-year-old MarShawn McCarrel II said he prioritized his causes and they suspect work affected him more than they realized, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

"He just wanted to serve people," his twin brother, MarQuan McCarrel, told the newspaper.

MarShawn McCarrel II, who was from suburban Franklin Township, shot himself outside the front door of the Statehouse on Monday and died at the scene, State Highway Patrol Lt. Craig Cvetan said. It's unclear why he killed himself, Cvetan said.

According to the Dispatch, a post on his Facebook page hours before the shooting said: "My demons won today. I'm sorry." [[368258481, C]]

Authorities said nobody saw the shooting, but McCarrel, who was not a state employee, was seen on Statehouse grounds just before the gunshot.

McCarrel had helped organize an effort to feed the homeless, worked as a youth mentor and helped with local protests after high-profile police shootings led to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Samaritan's 24-hour crisis hotline is available nationally, (212) 673-3000 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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