Columbus teen shot dead after getting off bus in presence of his siblings, police testify
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One suspect in the shooting death of a 15-year-old on Watkins Drive Thursday afternoon pleaded not guilty to all charges in Columbus Recorder’s Court Tuesday morning.
Roannil Clanton, 20, is charged with murder and various other charges in the death of Earkavion Lee, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.
Sgt. Robert Nicholas with the Columbus Police Department testified Lee, who was a freshman at Kendrick High School, was shot in the presence of his two siblings after getting off a Muscogee County School District bus.
Multiple eyewitnesses were interviewed and video surveillance was acquired, according to Nicholas’ testimony.
Nicholas testified witnesses provided a description of the suspect vehicle.
Brittany Santiago, director of community affairs and public information officer for the Columbus Police Department, told the Ledger-Enquirer that Clanton was taken into custody at a residence on Third Avenue. She said the car described by witnesses was found at that residence.
Santiago said the car is in CPD custody and being processed as evidence.
Clanton matched the physical description provided by witnesses, according to Nicholas.
Nicholas said witnesses said there were multiple shooters. Nicholas testified witnesses saw the suspects armed and outside the vehicle.
Three different caliber shell casings were found at the scene and over 20 shell casings were found, according to Nicholas’ testimony.
Judge David Ranieri found probable cause and bound the case over to Superior Court.
This story was originally published September 24, 2024 at 11:48 AM.