Drunk murder suspect seen waving gun before cousin was shot through door, police say
The murder suspect in the Jan. 24 shooting on Wickham Drive was allegedly seen waving a gun in the air moments before his cousin was shot through the door of her home, according to testimony Tuesday in Columbus Recorder's Court.
Dewayne Jones, 36, pleaded not guilty to murder. He was ordered held without bond in the Muscogee County Jail.
Judge Julius Hunter bound the case over to Superior Court.
Jones' plea comes one week after 35-year-old Carl McClendon pleaded not guilty to murder in the shooting that killed 24-year-old Lashay Ford and injured two others.
Columbus police were called to Wickham Drive house around 10:52 p.m. Jan. 24 to investigate a shooting that left three injured. All of the victims were rushed to Midtown Medical Center, where Ford was pronounced dead at 11:31 p.m.
Cpl. Robert Nicolas said a family of five were in their Wickham Drive home when three men arrived there drunk.
Witnesses identified McClendon, also known as CJ, and Jones as two of the individuals who visited the home. Jones is Ford's cousin and McClendon's best friend, according to police.
Nicholas said one of the residents told the men to leave, leading to an argument between Jones and that resident. Jones allegedly waved a gun in the air and fired a shot inside the home, but no one was harmed.
Everyone in the home allegedly started shoving the suspects outside of the residence. All three suspects were outside of the home and the residents were shutting the door behind them when shots were fired through the home and door, according to police.
Nicholas said a bullet that came through the door struck a pregnant resident in her leg and bullet that came through the sheet rock near the door bell struck Ford in her chest. A third resident was shot in his arm, the detective testified.
Witnesses reported that all three suspects left in a silver car, possibly a Maxima or Lexus.
Officials located one .380 shell casing on the front porch of the home and three .40 caliber shell casings near the mailbox. Another shell casing was found on the scene, but authorities have yet to identify its caliber.
It has been sent to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab crime lab for testing.
Nicolas said Jones called authorities from Mexico and told him that he was afraid and wanted to return home. Detectives instructed Jones to a US border patrol agent to turn himself.
"We have received a statement from Mr. Jones," Nicholas said. "Mr. Jones provides a statement that puts a gun in Mr. McClendon hands."
Jones was taken into custody Feb. 1 in Texas and extradited back to Columbus on Saturday. McClendon turned himself into authorities on Feb. 2.
Nicholas said witnesses have identified the third individual who arrived at the apartment with McClendon and Jones, but officials have yet to locate him. No additional warrants have been filed in the case, but Nicholas said he is pursing weapon charges against Jones and McClendon.
Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92
This story was originally published February 20, 2018 at 1:59 PM with the headline "Drunk murder suspect seen waving gun before cousin was shot through door, police say."