COLUMBUS (WCMH) — On Tuesday night, the city’s homicide rate moved to within two of last year’s total.

De Angelo Marquis Smith, 26, was shot and killed during an apparent robbery outside of the Berwick Grove Townhomes, on the city’s southeast side, according to police.

Officers said the case remains unsolved, as do roughly half of the homicides committed this year.

Chief Kim Jacobs addressed the matter on Wednesday.

She said it is important for witnesses to call the police, as soon as they witness a crime unfolding and not be afraid to share information.

“This is a situation that we have to work with our community, to convince them that it’s OK to call us,” said Jacobs. “We’re doing our job of trying to solve these crimes as quickly as possible and that is just a matter of making sure people feel comfortable calling us before something actually does happen.”

According to the chief, it is possible she may ask the city to include money for more officers in the upcoming budget.

The chief said additional officers would allow her to potentially assign more to the rank of detective.

“I believe that more officers help prevent crime,” she explained. “I’ll continue to monitor it [the number of unsolved cases] and listen to my supervisors that tell me whether or not the detectives are being overworked on that end.”

In the meantime, Mayor Andrew Ginther said he plans to unveil several new public safety initiatives next week.