Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Two arrested in Ticknor Drive shootings

Columbus police arrested two men Wednesday in connection with an afternoon shooting on Ticknor Drive.

Christopher Osborne, 20, of 26 Mason Drive, was charged with aggravated assault and Edward Molet, also 20, of 92 Eddy Drive, was charged with aggravated assault, possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime, reckless conduct and second degree criminal damage.

These charges stem from a shooting that occurred about 2:30 p.m. at an apartment complex at 220 Tick-nor Drive.

Columbus Police Lt. Lynn Joyner said officers were called to the apartments in reference to a shooting. When they arrived, they discovered a 20-year-old Columbus man suffering from two gunshot wounds to the buttocks.

Moments later, police were called to 92 Eddy Drive in reference to another shooting. Officers there found Molet suffering from a gunshot wound to the left calf. Authorities quickly determined that the two shootings were related, Joyner said.

The victim and Osborne were apparently involved in a fist fight at the Ticknor Drive address shortly before Molet allegedly pulled a 9mm pistol and fired several rounds, striking the victim twice and hitting himself once, Joyner said.

Osborne and Molet then ran to the Eddy Drive address where police found them and placed them under arrest, Joyner said.

The victim was taken to The Medical Center where he is expected to recover from his injuries.

“It was a matter of inches that kept it from being a murder,” Joyner said.

In addition to the shots fired upon the victim, Molet also allegedly sprayed the area with bullets, striking a Lincoln Town Car belonging to the victim’s girlfriend. No one was in the car, Joyner said.

A search of the area yielded between six and eight shell casings, the lieutenant said. He doesn’t know what sparked the initial fight.