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Suspect in Columbus State grad's killing on trial. A look back at our stories

Stories by Columbus Ledger-Enquirer journalists, with AI summarization

It's been nearly two years since Ryan Boles, a Columbus State University graduate and aspiring filmmaker, was killed.

The 23-year-old was shot to death near a Phenix City bank. Police suspect robbery as the motive. They found Boles dead in the Synovus Bank parking lot on Dec. 12, 2023. A 16-year-old was arrested and charged with capital murder. A 13-year-old suspect was also arrested.

Authorities believe both suspects targeted individuals at the bank for robbery.

A criminal trial is currently underway for Jadarius Snipes, who is now 18 years old and faces robbery and murder charges in connection with Boles' death. It began Monday, Oct. 20.

Read more in the stories below:

Ryan Boles, a 23-year-old graduate from Columbus State University was identified as the victim of an apparent homicide in Phenix City earlier this week, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr.

NO. 1: COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY GRAD, AN ASPIRING FILMMAKER, KILLED IN PHENIX CITY SHOOTING

The victim was found dead from a gunshot wound in the rear parking lot of the Synovus Bank in Phenix City after a Christmas party. | Published December 14, 2023 | Read Full Story by Tim Chitwood

Ryan Boles, a 23-year-old graduate from Columbus State University was identified as the victim of an apparent homicide in Phenix City earlier this week, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr.

NO. 2: POLICE ARREST 16-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT IN CSU GRAD’S PHENIX CITY KILLING. A 13-YEAR-OLD SOUGHT

The suspect committed another robbery minutes before Ryan Boles, an aspiring filmmaker, was shot dead in the bank parking lot, authorities said. | Published December 15, 2023 | Read Full Story by Tim Chitwood

Ryan Boles, a 23-year-old graduate from Columbus State University was identified as the victim of an apparent homicide in Phenix City earlier this week, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr.

NO. 3: 13-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED IN COLUMBUS FOR MURDER OF FORMER CSU GRADUATE IN PHENIX CITY

Police say the teen was arrested at Ashley Station in Columbus. | Published December 21, 2023 | Read Full Story by Kelby Hutchison

Ryan Boles, a 23-year-old graduate from Columbus State University was identified as the victim of an apparent homicide in Phenix City earlier this week, according to Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr.

NO. 4: MURDER TRIAL STARTS FOR SUSPECT IN COLUMBUS STATE GRAD’S DEATH IN PHENIX CITY

The trial of a suspect in the 2023 death of a Columbus State University graduate in Phenix City began Monday, according to Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey. | Published October 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kelby Hutchison

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.