Crime

17-year-old suspect arrested in Shirley Winston Recreation Center shooting

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A 17-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a shooting at a Columbus recreation center that left two people injured, the Columbus Police Department announced Friday.

CPD said officers responded around 6:50 p.m. Jan. 18 to the Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center in reference to a shooting. They found two men suffering from gunshot wounds at the scene.

The shooting was the second at the center in a five-month period after the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Jacarie Charles in August 2025.

Police said probable cause was established to issue arrest warrants for a 17-year-old who turned himself in Jan. 21. It is Ledger-Enquirer policy to not name suspects under the age of 18.

The suspect is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and one count of possession of a firearm under 18 years of age, according to police.

Police said the 17-year-old also was identified as a suspect in a separate, unrelated armed robbery that happened Jan. 17. He is charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm under 18 years of age in that case, according to police.

Police said the suspect appeared Jan. 23 in Columbus Recorder’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty, and both cases were bound over to Superior Court.

This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 5:43 PM.

Kelby Hutchison
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Kelby Hutchison is the breaking news reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Kelby grew up frequently visiting Columbus to eat at Country’s BBQ in the old Greyhound bus station and at Clearview BBQ on River Road. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in criminal justice and a M.A. in journalism. During his studies, Kelby specialized in community journalism.
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