Columbus councilor reacts to 2nd shooting at recreation center in past 5 months
A shooting that injured two people Sunday at Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center in Columbus is the second shooting at that location in the past five months after a fatal shooting in August.
Columbus Councilor Toyia Tucker of District 4, which includes Shirley B Winston Park, told the Ledger-Enquirer she feels “great sadness that this continues to happen.”
Although it’s not an everyday situation, this reoccurrence concerns Tucker,
“Violence in our parks is unacceptable, and I’m never silent or not taking action to address the issues that we’ve had over the years,” she said.
Tucker said the community deserves better and they deserve parks that are safe.
Community input after shooting
In the aftermath of the shooting, Tucker said community members suggested putting up a gate at the park entrance on Steam Mill Road and possibly changing the operating hours of the park during the winter months when it gets dark early.
Tucker said she has emailed the mayor, deputy city managers and fellow councilor regarding a possible gate.
“If I want to do something like that, it would have to be approved,” she said.
Legislative push
After the fatal shooting of Jacarie Charles, 22, inside the Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center in August, Tucker sought local legislative change and asked for a ban on carrying weapons inside recreation centers. The Columbus Council approved Tucker’s request in September, but state law would need to be changed by the Georgia Legislature for it to take effect.
When asked about the status of the legislative agenda item, Tucker said, “I would say with this being week two of the General Assembly session, it probably hasn’t made it to the floor.”
Tucker said she will be in Atlanta in March for a legislative meeting with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and plans to ask for an update on that agenda item and others.
Columbus Police Department public information officer Brittany Santiago told the Ledger-Enquirer the shooting Sunday occurred outside the recreation center. Tucker said the center is closed on Sundays.
When asked whether amending the legislative agenda item to include the grounds outside the recreation facilities would be considered, Tucker said, “As of right now, I would say no. It would definitely have to be a conversation that we have at the next hometown connection in October of this year.”
Praying for all involved
Tucker said she is praying for all involved in the shooting Sunday. For the perpetrators, she said she prays “they can have divine intervention where they stop doing this type of thing.”
She also is praying for the victims of the shooting, Tucker said, and she appreciates District 4 residents speaking up and demanding better.
“Safety is not optional, it’s a basic expectation, and we cannot continue to have these types of incidents in our parks,” she said.
Tucker said she will continue to advocate for stronger prevention efforts.
When asked Tuesday afternoon about the status of the case, Santiago said it remains under investigation.