Columbus police investigate possible 16th murder of year

BY LARRY GIERER AND CHUCK WILLIAMS, - lgierer@ledger-enquirer.com and chwilliams@ledger-enquirer.com --

Columbus Police today are investigating a death that may be the city's 16th murder of 2007, a death discovered early Tuesday morning in a residence at 901-A Decatur Court early.

"It's looks like a domestic," Columbus Police Maj. Russell Traino said of the slaying, which would be the fifth murder in 11 days here.

The shooting at the apartment occurred about 3:20 a.m. and Columbus police are talking to a man about the woman found dead at the scene. Police are disclosing no names at this time.

"We don't have a charge," Traino.

Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Bill Thrower said he couldn't comment. "I haven't spoken to the next of kin," Thrower said.

Crime-scene tape covered the door to the U-shaped apartment about 8:30 a.m. Decatur Court is a cul-de-sac in South Columbus about a mile from Carver High School.