Two men killed within hours during overnight disputes
In a span of two hours early Saturday, two men died of gunshot wounds during separate incidents across Columbus, authorities said.
The dead were identified as Robert Lockhart of 2843 Grant Road and Fort Benning soldier Donald Matthews, who was shot at Veterans Parkway and River Road.
Police Lt. Herman Miles said in a release that officers were called to Grant Road at 12:40 a.m. to check on shots fired. Police later learned the victim was transported by his wife to Midtown Medical Center. Lockhart, 32, was pronounced dead of multiple gunshots at 3:27 a.m. Miles said police took Eddie Clayton into custody at the scene and he is charged with murder. Clayton, 34, is held in the Muscogee County Jail for a 9 a.m. Tuesday hearing in Recorder’s Court.
More than an hour later, police were called at 1:51 a.m. to another report of gunshots fired at the intersection of Veterans Parkway and River Road. Officers found nothing at the scene but received a call to Midtown Medical Center about a man suffering from gunshot wounds.
Matthews, 26, was transported by a private vehicle to the hospital’s emergency room at 1:49 a.m., Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said. The Fort Benning soldier was pronounced dead of multiple gunshot wounds at 6:36 a.m. No arrest has been made in connection with the shooting but police are attempting to locate a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
With more than a week left in July, Bryan said the early morning homicides push the total to 20 for 2017.
Ben Wright: 706-571-8576, @bfwright87
This story was originally published July 22, 2017 at 6:54 PM with the headline "Two men killed within hours during overnight disputes."