Columbus homicide suspect, victim possibly got into argument before shooting, detective says

A Columbus man charged in the homicide of a 13-year-old boy had his first appearance in Recorder’s Court Thursday.

Jaquayvius Jones, 19, was charged with murder on Jan. 23, after being arrested on unrelated charges, Detective Matt Sitler of the Columbus Police Department’s Homicide Unit testified in court.

The incident occurred around 7:46 p.m. Jan. 17 near the 800 block of 32nd Avenue in Columbus. Jamareion Davis was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional after being shot in the torso, according to police.

Davis later died of his injuries at the hospital just before 9 p.m. the same night, according to Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Charles Newton.

Sitler testified that police talked to three witnesses at the scene of the incident, who were inside of the residence where the shooting occurred.

Sitler did not say whose residence it was during the testimony. Witnesses told police that Davis and Jones were in a bedroom together when they suddenly heard a gunshot and saw Jones flee the scene.

Police were unable to find Jones the night of the shooting and later charged him once he was arrested on Jan. 18, Sitler said.

During a police interview, Jones said he was inside of the residence with Davis and had a shotgun with him, Sitler testified. Jones said that he was trying to keep it away from Davis, but a witness could not corroborate this.

A witness told Sitler they believed Jones and Davis were having a verbal argument before the gun went off. It’s possible Jones was angry with Davis before pointing the shotgun at him, Sitler said.

The case was bound over to Muscogee Superior Court with no bond set.