Columbus man charged with murder in Americus shootout that killed 2

A wounded Columbus man has been charged with murder in the Americus shooting that left two people dead, one of them also a Columbus resident.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says 40-year-old Jermaine Taylor of Columbus is being charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The charges stem from a shootout Dec. 22 at 104 Price St. in Americus, a private home agents say Taylor and 36-year-old Martin Thames of Columbus entered late in the evening while trying to rob the resident.

The intrusion sparked a gunfight that left Thames dead and Taylor seriously wounded, investigators said. Also killed was Marcus Harper, whom agents identified as an occupant of the home.

Wounded during the shootout were Chris Lembrick and Morris Williams of Americus, both 31, who were treated and released at Americus’ Phoebe-Sumter Medical Center.

The GBI says it is continuing the investigation along with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

This story was originally published December 29, 2014 at 12:36 PM.