One person dead after downtown Columbus stabbing, Muscogee coroner confirms

A stabbing occurred Tuesday afternoon outside Lucky Starr, 1346 Broadway, in downtown Columbus Tuesday afternoon.

Columbus Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit is investigating the incident.

CPD public information officer Brittany Santiago told the Ledger-Enquirer the call about the stabbing came in at 1:33 p.m. A victim rushed to surgery has since died, according to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.

The victim has been identified as 60-year-old Michael Alston, according to Bryan. Alston was pronounced dead at 2:36 p.m., Bryan said.

Blood was visible on the sidewalk near the scene, as well as a pair of bloody shoes near a city of Columbus trash can. Multiple marked and unmarked police vehicles were on the scene.

Nashodd Dean told the Ledger-Enquirer he was working out at the YMCA nearby when he saw police cars, an ambulance and fire truck respond to the area.

He said the ambulance and fire truck were on the scene for approximately 10 minutes before driving off.

Dean said he frequents the area.

“It’s not something I see normally,” he said.

Bernard Cox told the Ledger-Enquirer he was eating lunch at Country’s Barbecue, 1329 Broadway, when he heard an argument but didn’t know where it was coming from.

Cox said he was at the corner of the southbound lane of Broadway and 14th Street when he saw two men arguing across the street.

He couldn’t make out what was being said, Cox said, but he saw one man take out a knife and stab the other one.

The person who committed the stabbing didn’t talk, Cox said. The victim grabbed his shirt in his chest area, according to Cox.

Cox said the victim didn’t appear to have a weapon.

“That guy who took out that knife, man, he didn’t hesitate whatsoever,” Cox said.

Cox said the knife used was “huge” and looked like a hunting knife. The assailant left the area after the stabbing, Cox said.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Cox said.

Police identified the suspect as Bobby Browder, 49. Browder is believed to be homeless, according to police.

Police said Browder was taken into custody Tuesday in Phenix City.

This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM.