One dead, another injured after shooting at Columbus apartment complex
One man is dead and another is injured following a shooting Monday afternoon at a Columbus apartment complex, the Columbus Police Department announced Monday evening.
Police said officers responded around 2:39 p.m. Monday to the 3700 block of Cusseta Road at the Avalon Apartments. Responding officers found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to police.
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan identified the victim as Chastin Hunter, 33, of Columbus. Bryan said Hunter was pronounced dead at 5:32 p.m. Monday at a local hospital.
Bryan said Hunter’s body will be sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for an autopsy.
Police said a second victim arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound and was listed in stable condition. Police said a 17-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
The suspect is expected to appear in Columbus Recorder’s Court at 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to police.
Police say a second suspect, 69-year-old Eugene Mabry, has been arrested and charged with murder, aggravated assault and armed robbery.
Police say CPD’s Violent Crimes Unit located a Kia Soul used in the shooting at a residence on Hawaii Way, and a search warrant was executed at that scene to obtain more evidence.
Mabry is expected to appear in Columbus Recorder’s Court at 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to police.
Police say more arrests are pending.
Police are asking anyone with information on the shooting to contact Sgt. Donna Baker at 706-225-4296 or DBaker@columbusga.org.
Previous shooting at Avalon Apartments
Avalon Apartments was the site of another shooting death nearly one year ago on May 17, 2024. Police said responding officers found 20-year-old Raquise Walls suffering from a gunshot wound. Walls later died.
Jaylen Paige was arrested and charged with murder and armed robbery, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.
In Paige’s Recorder’s Court hearing, CPD Detective Adam Moyer testified two witnesses were in the room with Paige and Walls at the time of the shooting.
Moyer said Paige provided a statement after his arrest, putting himself at the apartment. He claimed he was there for a firearms trade. Paige claimed Walls grabbed hold of the gun during the trade and tried to take it away from him, leading to a struggle, according to Moyer.
Moyer said Paige claimed a round went off during the struggle followed by another shot. Moyer said witnesses claim there was no argument or struggle and that Paige shot Walls and took the victim’s firearm after the shooting.
Judge Susan Henderson found probable cause and bound the case over to Superior Court. The case is still active in Superior Court, records show.
This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 9:38 AM.