Police charge second 14-year-old with murder in shooting outside Columbus nightclub
Columbus police have charged a second 14-year-old with murder in a fatal shooting outside a Victory Drive nightclub where a group of teens went to break into cars in the parking lot, detectives said.
The teen and a 16-year-old captured Wednesday are the latest suspects to be charged in an ongoing investigation into the June 5 death of Samuel London, 40, who was shot outside the Foxy Lady Lounge, 3023 Victory Drive, where police were called at 2:17 a.m.
London died at 3:03 a.m. at Piedmont Columbus Regional, according to the Muscogee County coroner.
Along with a 14-year-old arrested July 31, the two suspects charged Wednesday have not been identified because of their juvenile status. Though currently charged as adults, they later may be transferred to Juvenile Court, where suspects’ names typically are not released to protect their future prospects.
So far police say they have charged only one adult in London’s death, Cecil Brian Berguin, 18, who was arrested July 29 in Phenix City.
During preliminary hearings in Columbus Recorder’s Court, Detective Matt Sitler has testified the suspects were among several people in different cars who went to the lounge to break into vehicles parked outside.
Berguin was recorded on surveillance video entering London’s car as London got in and tried to get the teen out, Sitler said. London was shot during the struggle, he said, but police do not believe Berguin was the shooter.
All the suspects have been charged with murder and entering an auto, but the 14-year-old arrested Wednesday is the first to face an additional charge of using a firearm to commit a crime, police said. He and the 16-year-old are to have a Recorder’s Court hearing at 9 a.m. Friday.
Anyone with information on London’s homicide is asked to call Sitler at 706-225-4367.