Homicide victim found in driveway on Ticknor Drive is identified

Hours after a family heard gunshots on Ticknor Drive, a man was found dead in the driveway across the street from Penn Tower Apartments.

Dudley Jones Jr., 44, was pronounced dead at 7:55 a.m. Saturday, said Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley. Foul play is suspected in the death and an autopsy is scheduled Monday at the crime lab in Decatur.

Police Lt. Greg Touchberry of the Investigative Services Bureau said it appeared the victim had a gunshot wound.

Police temporarily closed the 2200 block of Ticknor Drive between Victory Drive and Mason Street while detectives combed the area looking for clues in connection with the death.

A 34-year-old man said he and his wife were awakened at 2 a.m. by three gunshots. It is not unusual to hear gunshots in the area. “I go back to sleep,” said the father of two, who didn’t want his name printed.

More than three hours later, a Fort Benning worker walked through the driveway about 5:45 a.m. as he went to Circle K on Benning Road. He tapped the leg of the man but didn’t get a response on the darkened path. At the Circle K, he told the clerk about the man. “I never thought the man might be dead,” said the worker.

The worker said the man was still in the driveway when he got into his car and drove to his job on post.

Worley said Jones was discovered in the area about 7:15 a.m.

Jones’ death is the second homicide in the past eight days and fifth of the year in Columbus. It follows the March 24 shooting of Maurice McGhee, 25, after a dispute outside the 317 Building of Wilson Homes, a public housing complex at 3400 Eighth Ave.

Adrian Karl Pollard, 28, of Columbus surrendered to police on Friday in connection with McGhee’s death. He faces one count of murder and other charges.

Touchberry said anyone with information on the death or the activities of Jones during the last 24 hours should contact Sgt. Tony Locey at 706-225-4291 or alocey@columbusga.org.

This story was originally published April 1, 2017 at 11:47 AM with the headline "Homicide victim found in driveway on Ticknor Drive is identified."