Here’s a list of 2021 Columbus homicides, according to authorities
Columbus over the past five years has averaged around 38 homicides annually, with the most recent peak last year, when the city had 46. That surpassed the 44 reported in 2017, according to the Muscogee County coroner.
Columbus had 41 in 2019; 34 in 2018; and 28 in 2016.
Here is a list of Columbus homicides for the year 2021:
1) Jan. 6: Damien Nesbitt, 37.
Police called at 12:10 a.m. to the Orleans Apartments at 620 Fifth Avenue found Nesbitt on the street with multiple gunshot wounds, said Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley. He was rushed to the emergency room at Piedmont Columbus Regional, where he was pronounced dead at 12:51 a.m. Police later reported that Nesbitt’s car was stolen, identifying it as a 2005 Lexus ES30 with the Georgia tag RPB 8587. Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to contact Cpl. Roy Green at 706-225-4261 or roygreen@columbusga.org.
2) Jan. 7: Byron Petty, 22.
Petty was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot wounds at 5:43 p.m. at Piedmont Columbus Regional, said Deputy Coroner Charles Newton. Patrol officers on a call near Rhodes Street heard gunshots and went to investigate, finding Petty on the ground at 14th Avenue and 16th Street, about four blocks west of Lakebottom Park in midtown. A second man was shot in the leg there during a dispute, police said. Anyone with tips on the shooting may contact Cpl. William Peterson at 706-225-4293 or wpeterson@columbusga.org.
3) Jan. 11: Walter Williams, 70.
Police called at 4:50 p.m. to the 4900 block of Mehaffey Street found Williams with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputy Coroner Elizabeth Allison pronounced Williams dead there at 5:45 p.m. Detectives said they charged a relative, Marlon Jarrell Reese, 36, with murder in Williams’ homicide. Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to contact Cpl. Robert Nicholas at 706-225-4363 or robertnicholas@columbusga.org.
4) Jan. 20: Joseph L. Dukes, 35.
Doctors pronounced Dukes dead at 4:44 p.m. at the Piedmont Columbus Regional emergency room, said Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan. Dukes, who was 35, had multiple gunshot wounds, Bryan said. Police later said Dukes was shot on Bayberry Drive near Buena Vista Road, during a confrontation with Deante Caruthers, 29, who was charged with murder.
5) Jan. 24: Darian Hall, 26.
Hall was shot multiple times in September 2020, and left unable to move from the waist down. He died from complications at his home, where he was pronounced dead at 3:48 p.m., said Coroner Buddy Bryan. Hall reportedly was shot at Steam Mill Road and Dogwood Drive.
6) Jan. 27: Anthony Payne, 54.
Payne was pronounced dead at 4:40 p.m. after he was found stabbed multiple times in a creek under a Midtown Loop bridge, said Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley. The site, directly behind the Baker Music Shop at 2 Midtown Loop, is one block east of Boxwood Boulevard near the Columbus Public Library.
7) Feb. 1: Tayquann James, 36.
The Patterson, New Jersey, man was shot dead in a home on Steam Mill Road near Goodson Drive about 5 a.m., police said. Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley was called at 5:31 a.m. and pronounced James dead of gunshot wounds at 5:59 a.m. According to court testimony, James and his girlfriend were guests in the home of Michael Andrew Brown, 35, the first cousin of James’ girlfriend. Brown claimed he shot James in the head and left shoulder in self-defense. He was charged with murder and using a gun to commit a crime.
8) Feb. 2: Nekoe Phillips, 26.
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said Piedmont Columbus Regional doctors pronounced Phillips dead at 10:54 p.m. in the emergency room. Phillips arrived there at 10:39 p.m. by private vehicle, said Bryan, who believes the shooting happened around 10 p.m. near Fort Benning Road and Torch Hill Road. Two others were wounded, one seriously, the coroner said.
9) Feb. 6: Jaylan Dobbins, 19.
Dobbins was gunned down in a residence just four blocks west of Columbus’ Lakebottom Park, where Deputy Coroner Elizabeth Allison pronounced him dead from multiple gunshot wounds at 12:43 a.m., authorities said. The residence in the 1400 block of 16th Street was not his home address, said Coroner Buddy Bryan.
10) Feb. 10: Sara Holtrop, 18.
Columbus police said friends were playing with a loaded handgun at a home in the 1200 block of Carmel Street when one decided he would use the weapon to “scare” Holtrop, who had fallen asleep on a couch. He accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting the Hamilton, Georgia, teenager in the back, detectives said. She died from the 7:25 p.m. shooting about 30 minutes later at Piedmont Columbus Regional, authorities said. Police charged Elijah Farral, 20, with involuntary manslaughter.
11) Feb. 11: Derico Pritchett, 37.
Officers were called at 5:42 p.m. to 2001 S. Lumpkin Road, the Signature Event Center, where five people were hit in a barrage of gunfire, authorities said. Deputy Coroner Charles Newton said he pronounced Pritchett dead from multiple gunshot wounds there at 7:20 p.m. Others were taken to the hospital. The location is in the Oakland Park area, across the road from the South Columbus Public Library. Anyone with information in the case was asked to contact Cpl. Matt Sitler at 706-225-4367 or msitler@columbusga.org.
12) Feb. 12: Emory Stephens, 31.
Stephens fatally was shot during an altercation inside the Suite Bar & Grill, which is in a shopping plaza off Airport Thruway at 5300 Sidney Simons Blvd., authorities said. Police called at 1:52 a.m. found him with multiple gunshot wounds, and Deputy Coroner Charles Newton pronounced him dead there at 2:43 a.m. Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to contact Cpl. William Peterson at 706-225-4293 or wpeterson@columbusga.org.
13) Feb. 25: Corey Jones, 16.
Jones was shot Feb. 23 at Columbus’ Carver Park, 6665 Hunter Road, and was being treated at Piedmont Columbus Regional when he died there at 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 25, said Coroner Buddy Bryan.
14) Feb. 25: Mary Anne Smith, 22 months.
A detective said the baby’s uncle called 911 at 4:43 p.m. to a 3536 St. Marys Road trailer park, where investigators found the child dead in a bedroom in which the temperature was around 100 degrees. An autopsy showed the girl died from malnutrition, dehydration and hyperthermia, police said. The uncle who had been caring for the baby, Jonathan Edward Nelson, 23, was charged with felony murder and second-degree child cruelty, as was the little girl’s mother, Aundrea Colleen Nelson, 20, police said.
15) Feb. 27: Jacobee Matthews, 28.
Matthews was hospitalized at Piedmont Columbus Regional after being shot Feb. 2 at 2334 Fort Benning Road, the coroner said. His family decided to have him removed from life support at 4:21 p.m. Feb. 27, before he died at 5:14 p.m., the coroner said.
16-17) March 1: Jasmine Trice, 30; Kiera Williams, 28.
The two women were gunned down in the afternoon at a Family Dollar store at 2112 Floyd Road, leaving Trice dead at the scene, the coroner said. Williams was pronounced dead later at Piedmont Columbus Regional. Police charged Williams’ ex-boyfriend Quartez Thomas with two counts of murder.
18) March 4: Maurice Talbot, 20.
Talbot was wounded multiple times in a shooting on Northlake Drive off Veterans Parkway, before friends drove him to Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Northside Campus, where the Phenix City man was pronounced dead at 10:40 p.m., said Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan. Police said patrol officers were called at 10:12 p.m. to reports of a shooting in the area of 7320 Veterans Parkway.
19) March 5: Tanuska Jackson, 31.
Police said Jackson fatally was shot around midnight in an apartment at 2001 Torch Hill Road. Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley pronounced her dead in a bed there at 1:30 a.m., according to the coroner’s office. Police charged Jackson’s boyfriend, Dexter Potts, 25, with murder, they said.
20) March 17: Quindarius Ford, 17.
Shot during an argument in the 2300 block of Avalon Road, Ford was rushed to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where he was pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m., said Coroner Buddy Bryan. Police later said they charged the victim’s 21-year-old-brother, Marquavious Ford, with murder. Avalon Road runs between Macon Road and Forrest Road in east Columbus.
21-22) March 24: Eric Giddens, 21; Quindarrius Giddens, 22.
The two brothers were shot dead in a room at the downtown Motel 6, 1325 Veterans Parkway, authorities said. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the younger brother was pronounced dead of multiple gunshot wounds at 7:20 p.m., and the older one was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound at 7:23 p.m. Police called to the motel at 6:14 p.m. later charged 25-year-old Jacob Martel with two counts of murder.
23) March 25: Paul Lokey, 50.
Columbus police said officers were called at 1:32 a.m. to a car crash at South Andrews Circle and 21st Avenue, and found Lokey, the driver, had a gunshot wound. An ambulance rushed him to the Piedmont Columbus Regional emergency room, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 a.m. A 41-year-old passenger in the car was injured, police said.
24) March 28: Brandon Davis, 22.
Davis was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound at 5:30 a.m., lying on a grassy area between the sidewalk and the parking lot outside a business at 3433 N. Lumpkin Road, said Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley.
25) April 11: Demetrius Daniels, 26.
Daniels was shot around 3:15 p.m. in the 4600 block of Reese Road, before a private vehicle took him to St. Francis Hospital, police said. He died from his wounds there at 4:04 p.m., aid Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan. About 10 gunshots were reported, Bryan said. Anyone with information on Daniels’ shooting was asked to contact Detective Robert Nicholas at 706-225-4363 or robertnicholas@columbusga.org.
26) April 16: Andrew O’Neal, 58.
Officers called at 6:16 p.m. to the 800 block of Winston Road found O’Neal in the street, police said. He was rushed by ambulance to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where an emergency room doctor pronounced him dead from gunshot wounds at 7:30 p.m. Anyone with information was asked to contact Sgt. Thomas Hill at 706-225-4345 or thill@columbusga.org.
27) April 17: Cortez Averrette, 24.
Police found Averette lying near the front door of a residence in the 2200 block of Mahan Drive around 3:30 p.m. An ambulance took hm to Piedmont Columbus Regional to be treated for multiple stab wounds, and a doctor there pronounced him dead at 4:21 p.m. Police have since arrested Zephaniah Parkman, 17, as a suspect in Averrette’s death. Anyone with information was asked to contact Cpl. Sherman Hayes at 706-225-4268 or SHayes@columbusga.org.
28) April 26: Craig Perry, 45.
Perry was pronounced dead at 3:14 a.m. in the intensive care unit at Piedmont Columbus Regional, said Coroner Buddy Bryan. According to a police report, officers were called around 11:30 p.m. April 11 to the 1500 block of 11th Avenue, where they found Perry had a “serious brain injury” from being hit in the head with a metal pole or baseball bat. He lingered in the ICU until his death. Officers said a witness told them her former boyfriend hit Perry with a baseball bat, because she had started dating Perry after she broke up with him.
29) May 1: John Anthony Johnson, 38.
Police said patrol officers were called at 8:59 p.m. to apartments at 3860 Gentian Blvd., where they found John Anthony Johnson outside with a gunshot wound. Medics were unable to resuscitate Johnson, whom Deputy Coroner Elizabeth Allison pronounced dead at the scene at 9:34 p.m. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Sgt. K. Tuggle at 706-225-4377 or ktuggle@columbusga.org.
30) May 8: Devion Miley, 20.
Police called around 11 p.m. to reports of someone on the ground at Pita Mediterranean Street Food, 3150 Macon Road, found Miley with a gunshot wound. Rushed by ambulance to Piedmont Columbus Regional, he died at 11:51 p.m., authorities said. Anyone with information on Miley’s death was asked to contact Detective Matt Sitler at 706-225-4367 or msitler@columbusga.org.
31) May 26: Cordarious Bonner, 21.
Police found Bonner shot when they were called at 8:48 p.m. to the 7700 block of Veterans Parkway. He was pronounced dead at the hospital emergency room at 9:28 p.m., investigators said. Two others wounded in the shooting were taken by private vehicle to the hospital, but their injuries were not life threatening, police said. Anyone with information was asked to contact Sgt. Thomas Hill at 706-225-4345 or thill@columbusga.org.
32) May 31: Carson Skinner, 17.
Police called at 11:48 p.m. to reports of a shooting in the 1100 block of Bismark Drive found Skinner with multiple gunshot wounds as he lay between a tree and a car, said Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan. Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley pronounced Skinner dead at 12:57 a.m., Bryan said.
33) June 5: Marcel Samedi, 21.
Police found Samedi dead when they were called at 9:47 p.m. to the Luther Wilson Apartment homes at 3400 8th Avenue in reference to a shooting. Samedi’s body was sent to the GBI Crime Lab as a “John Doe” where he was later identified. Elysia Cooley, 16, and Corey Troupe, 24, have been charged in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Donna Baker at 706-225-4296 or dbaker@columbusga.org.
34) June 8: Kevin Caldwell, 33.
Kevin Caldwell suffered multiple gunshot wounds after a three-county, four-agency police chase that began on I-18 in Troup County and ended on Macon Road in Columbus. Gunfire was exchanged between Caldwell and the Georgia State Patrol, according to law enforcement. He was declared dead at 5:57 p.m. at Piedmont Columbus Regional, according to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan. The shooting is under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Caldwell’s death is listed as a homicide on the Muscogee County Coroner’s list.
35-36) June 15: Saiveon Pugh, 18; Jesse Ransom, 17.
Officers were called to the scene at the intersection of 32nd Street and 7th Avenue near Luther Wilson Apartment homes in reference to a shooting. Once they arrived, they found Pugh and Ransom, along with two additional victims, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Ransom was pronounced dead on the scene at 10:45 p.m by Deputy Coroner Charles Newton. Pugh was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional and pronounced dead at 1:45 a.m. the following morning, Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said. Homer Upshaw, Terrance Upshaw and Rodderick Glanton have all been arrested and charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault in the case.
37) June 20: Demarcus Gardner, 24.
Officers were called to Patton Drive around 10:15 p.m. in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, Demarcus Gardner, 24, was found shot multiple times. Officers later discovered that the original shooting happened near the 800/900 block of Winston Road. Gardner died at Piedmont Columbus Regional at 10:54 p.m. Anyone with information was asked to contact Sgt. Thomas Hill at 706-225-4345 or thill@columbusga.org
38) July 6: Davetta Mims, 31.
Columbus police were called around 5 p.m. to Mercy’s Jamaican Kitchen, 5753 Milgen Road, in reference to a shooting in the restaurant’s parking lot. Upon arrival, officers found Davetta Mims, 31, suffering from gunshot wounds. Mims was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional where she was pronounced dead at 5:16 p.m. by Muscogee County Coroner Charles Newton. Jean Richelieu, 36, has been arrested and charged with murder- family violence in the case.
39) July 7: Billy Joe Crocker, 55.
Columbus police were called around to the 2500 block of Walker Street around 7:15 p.m. on July 5 in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Crocker suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his wounds on July 7. Police stated that a robbery may have taken place causing the incident.
40-41) July 17: Larry Walton, 27; Christopher Jennings, 21.
Officers were called to the 700 block of Palmetto Avenue around 12 p.m. in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, police found both Walton and Jennings suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Both were transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional where Walton died at 11:59 pm. and Jennings died at 12:01 p.m., according to Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley.
42) July 22: Curtis Mincey, 74.
Curtis Mincey, 74, an inmate at Rutledge State Prison, was found unresponsive in his cell on July 22. He was pronounced dead at 3:01 a.m. by Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Elizabeth Allison and the body was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab for an autopsy. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the cause of death is listed as blunt force trauma to the head and torso. Death by physical altercation was listed as an additional cause of death. The GBI is currently investigating.
43) August 13: Cortez Richardson, 12.
Just after 11 p.m. on August 13, police were called to Luna Drive and Armenda Drive to investigate a shooting. Upon arrival, police discovered 12-year old Cortez Richardson suffering from a gunshot wound. Richardson was taken to Columbus Piedmont Regional Hospital, where he died at 11:51 p.m. Anyone with information is asked to contact Corporal Robert Nicholas at (706) 225-4363 or by email at robertnicholas@columbusga.org.
44) August 14: Iverson Gilyard, 20.
Police were called to 13th Avenue and Virginia Street around 7:30 p.m. for another shooting . Upon arrival, police discovered Iverson Gilyard lying in the road suffering from gunshot wounds. Gilyard died at 8 p.m. at Columbus Piedmont Regional Hospital. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Kyle Tuggle at 706-225-4377 or ktuggle@columbusga.org.
45) August 15: Jamel Griffin, 19.
Police were called to Samson Avenue and 8th Street at 8:37 p.m. in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, police discovered Jamel Griffin suffering from gunshot wounds. Griffin died at 9:06 p.m. at Columbus Piedmont Regional Hospital. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Z. Cole at 706-225-4295 or zcole@columbusga.org.
46) August 21: Andrea Ellis, 44.
On Aug. 21, Andrea Ellis, 44, was one of three people shot while attending an event at Carver Park. She died three days later while being treated at Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Intensive Care Unit. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. R. Mills at 706-225-4259 or Rmills@columbusga.org.
47) August 28: Roger Feggins, 16.
Around 1 a.m, officers with the Columbus Police Department were called to a shooting at residence in the 1200 block of Knight Drive. Upon arrival, officers found 16-year old Roger Feggins suffering from a single gunshot wound. Feggins was transported to Columbus Piedmont Regional where he died at 1:42 a.m., according to Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Charles Newton. Anyone with information is asked to contact Corporal William Peterson at 706-225-3470 or wpeterson@columbusga.org.
48) September 3: Daquan Jones, 20.
Around 11:53 p.m. on Sept. 2, officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to the area of Schaul Street and Henry Avenue in reference to gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found Daquan Jones suffering from gunshot wounds. Jones was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:36 a.m. by Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Charles Newton. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Robert Nicholas at 706-225-4363 or robertnicholas@columbusga.org.
49) September 6: Emanuel Mennifield Jr, 36.
At 1:56 a.m. on Sept. 6, officers with the Columbus Police Department were called about a shooting in the 2900 block of Colorado Street. Upon arrival, officers found Emanuel Mennefield Jr. suffering from gunshot wounds. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan told the Ledger-Enquirer that Mennefied was pronounced dead at 2:42 a.m.
50) September 7: Maurice Vaughn Jackson, 26.
Officers with the Columbus Police Department were called to Patriot Place Apartments, 3700 Buena Vista Road, in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Maurice Vaughn Jackson, 26, suffering from gunshot wounds, Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said. Jackson was pronounced dead at 3:22 a.m. by Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Elizabeth Allison, Bryan said. Quincy Tyrek Wade, 26, has been arrested and charged with murder, home invasion and first degree aggravated assault in the case.
51) September 13: Jamar Pipkin, 27.
Around 5:31 a.m. on Sept. 13, the Columbus Police Department was called to the 3900 block of Calhoun Drive in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Jamar Pipkin suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional where he died at 6:33 a.m., Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley told the Ledger-Enquirer.
52) September 20: Kaleb Morning, 16.
On Sept. 20, officers with the Columbus Police Department were called to a shooting at the intersection of Joyner and Sweetwater drives. Upon arrival, officers found Kaleb Morning with gunshot wounds. He died at 5:29 p.m., Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan told the Ledger-Enquirer. Markeivious Reviere, 17, has been arrested and charged with murder in the case.
53) September 25: Marjester Thornton, 37.
Around 9:33 p.m. on Sept. 25, officers with the Columbus Police Department were called to a shooting at a private residence in the 3200 block of Urban Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found Thornton, 37, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene at 10:05 p.m. by Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.
54) October 1: Kenneth Griggs, 20.
Around 7:16 p.m. Oct. 1, Columbus police were called to St. Francis-Emory Healthcare hospital in reference to a gunshot victim. Kenneth Griggs, 20, was visiting Sky Zone Trampoline Park, 3716 Gentian Boulevard, when the incident occurred, according to a news release from CPD. He died at 7:39 p.m. Christopher Jones, 23, has been arrested and charged with murder in the case.
55) October 3: Salaysia Duerner, 45.
Around 10:24 p.m. Oct. 3, officers were called to Curry Street in reference to a woman lying in the roadway. Upon arrival, officers found Duerner with multiple stab wounds according to a news release from CPD. Emergency services arrived on scene but could not resuscitate her. She died at 11:10 p.m., the release said. Antoine Bell, 36, has been arrested and charged with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon during a commission of a crime in the case.
56) October 8: Quantion Tate, 42.
Early in the morning, on Oct. 8, officers with the Columbus Police Department responded to Cross Keys Apartments, 3818 Baker Plaza Drive, in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Quantion Tate, 42, lying in the doorway with gunshot wounds. He died at 3:25 a.m., Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley said.
57) October 8/March 30: Jamier Roberts, 3-months.
Three-month-old Jamier Roberts died at the Piedmont Columbus Pediatric Emergency Room on March 30 at 12 a.m., Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said. The body was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for an autopsy where it was confirmed on Oct. 8 that Roberts died of blunt impact injuries to the head and head trauma inflicted by others, Bryan said.
58) October 12: Lorenzo Vasquez-Lopez, 41.
On Oct. 12, Lorenzo Vasquez-Lopez was found with gunshot wounds in the area of Mohawk Street and Holly Avenue, Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said Wednesday. He was transported by EMS to Piedmont Columbus Regional where he died at 6:37 p.m.
59) October 24: Jaleel Ali, 14.
On Oct. 24, officers with the Columbus Police Department were called to a private residence in the 3900 block of Calhoun Drive around 2:20 a.m. for a shooting, according to a news release from CPD. Once there, officers found Jaleel Ali, 14, dead from a gunshot wound, the release said. There has been no arrest made in the case at this time.
60) November 5: Deondre Reynolds, 17.
Around 5 p.m. Nov. 4, CPD officers were called to a residence on Alford Street near 25th Avenue where they found Deondre Reynolds, 17, with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:40 p.m., Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said.
61) November 7: Malik Easton, 28
Around 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 7, CPD officers were called to 12th Avenue and 20th Street where they found Malik Easton, 28, lying in the grass with gunshot wounds. He was unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:35 a.m. No arrest has been made in the case.
62) November 20: Lekeith Epps, 20
Around 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 20, CPD officers were called to Wilson Homes apartments on 8th Ave. where they found, Lekeith Epps, 20, with gunshot wounds. Epps was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional hospital where an emergency room doctor pronounced him dead at 8:41 p.m.
63) November 21: Itavious Jones, 24
Itavious Jones, 24, died in the intensive care unit of Piedmont Columbus Regional hospital on Nov. 21, two days after he was shot near Watkins Drive and Lamore Street.
64) Nov. 25: Travis Walton, 15.
Walton was killed in a drive-by shooting on Thanksgiving Day, said Coroner Buddy Bryan. Police were called at 11:54 a.m. to the 5200 block of Eton Drive, near Emerson Avenue, where Deputy Coroner Elizabeth Allison pronounced the boy dead at 12:31 p.m. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Cpl. Robert Nicholas at 706-225-4363 or rnicholas@columbusga.org.
65) Dec. 6: Amit Patel, 43.
Patel, part-owner of the Pyramid gas station at 3512 Buena Vista Road, was going into the Synovus bank branch a mile east of the station to make a deposit around 9:30 a.m. when he was shot and robbed outside, his business partner said. The 4505 Buena Vista Road bank building also houses the Columbus Police Department’s East Precinct. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sherman Hayes at 706-225-4268 or shayes@columbusga.org.
66) Dec. 6: Marcus Jones, 32.
Police called at 7:26 p.m. to a shooting in the 600 block of 23rd Street found Jones unresponsive, with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at 8:12 p.m. at Piedmont Columbus Regional. A second victim, also 32, went to the hospital by private vehicle, with wounds police said were not life threatening. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Thomas Hill at 706-225-4345 or thill@columbusga.org.
67) Dec. 7: Walter Christopher, 39
Christopher was pronounced dead in Piedmont Columbus Regional’s midtown hospital at 8:02 p.m. from a gunshot wound, said Muscogee County coroner Buddy Bryan. Columbus Police Department spokesman Sgt. Aaron Evrard confirmed patrol officers were dispatched to the MK Mart, 1100 Farr Road, but he declined to release further details. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Sergeant D. Baker at 706-225-4296 or email at dbaker@columbusga.org. If you would like to remain anonymous, call 706-653-3188 or text VACS plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).
68) Dec. 12: Travis Kent, 22
Kent was shot and killed at an east Columbus apartment building. Police responded to a shooting at 4656 Lamore St. and found Kent wounded. Medical personnel were unable to revive Kent. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan pronounced him dead at 11:30 p.m., he said.
69) Dec. 18: Kyron Jamar Sharp, 22
Columbus police called at 7:58 p.m. to the 4000 block of Singer Drive found Sharp and another man wounded, officers said. Both were rushed to the Piedmont Columbus Regional emergency room, where Sharp was pronounced dead at 8:37 p.m., investigators said. Anyone with information was asked to contact Cpl. Zachary Cole at 706-225-4295 or Sgt. Kyle Tuggle at 706-225-4377.
70) Dec. 21: DeQuantae Tarver, 27
Tarver was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot wounds at 5:02 p.m. in the Piedmont Columbus Regional emergency room, said Muscogee County coroner Buddy Bryan. Police said they first were called to a shooting at 2:03 p.m. at Wild Bill’s Party Shop, 3434 Buena Vista Road, and then to the Circle K gas station four miles away at 4410 Macon Road, where an ambulance took Tarver to the hospital. They said Tarver was shot outside Wild Bill’s before someone drove him to the Circle K. Anyone with information was asked to call Detective A. Moyer at 706-225-4435 or an anonymous tip line at 706-653-3188.
Other deaths
Dec. 1: Michael Deion McDougal, 27.
Police called at 12:30 a.m. to a home on Schaul Street found McDougal had been shot in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the shooting appears to have been an accident involving a 9-year-old girl and her father. “There was a pistol laying on a table, and she picked it up,” Bryan said. “He probably told her to put it back down or whatever, and when she did, it discharged and hit him in the head and killed him.” Ruling the shooting accidental, Bryan said the death will not be counted as a homicide.
This story was originally published January 11, 2021 at 5:42 PM.
