Church to host community prayer vigil honoring recent homicide victims

A Fort Mitchell church is hosting a community prayer vigil tonight to recognize the victims of the double and triple homicide that happened earlier this week in the Chattahoochee Valley area.

The St. John AME Church said the vigil will be held 7 p.m. EST at its church at 944 AL-165 in Fort Mitchell. The ceremony is open to the public.

"We will stand in unity to pray for the victims of gun violence both in our community and nationwide," the church said in a Facebook post announcing the vigil.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the victims of the triple homicide in North Columbus were Gloria Short, 56; son Caleb Robert Short Jr., 17; and granddaughter Giane or Gianna Lindsey, 10.

On Monday morning, the family was found beaten to death in their 3057 Bentley Drive home, officials said.

Columbus Police haven't made any arrests in the triple homicide, but Russell County deputies have arrested the 19-year-old man who allegedly killed his grandfather and sister the following morning in an unrelated double homicide.

Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said Travon Harmon, 19, admitted to fatally shooting Bionka L. Harmon, 26, and Leroy Harmon, 77, at their 88 Bradley Drive home.

The sheriff said Travon had an argument with his 21-year-old childhood friend in the back of the home that led to the friend being shot in the head or possibly forehead.

Taylor said the friend was transported later transported to a Columbus hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Taylor said he shot his grandfather Leroy in the head when the 77-year-old man tried to confront him. He shot his sister Bionka in the head moments later, the sheriff added.

Arrested on the scene, Travon was charged with capital murder and booked into Russell County Jail, officials said.

— Sarah is a crime and safety reporter at The Ledger-Enquirer. You can contact her on Twitter at @SarahR_92.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 10:28 AM with the headline "Church to host community prayer vigil honoring recent homicide victims ."