Gun violence continues to skyrocket across the city of Columbus and yesterday‘s triple shooting just proved that, our data shows.

CNAW2NEWS.com’s data is calculated by every time we are made aware of a shooting incident involving an injury or death. Every-time there is a shooting, our data collects information such as: the date of the shooting, how many injured, the condition of the victim, and the number shooting.  Our data is our data and it is preliminary data that could change. The police department most likely has different data. 

Last year (2021), we were made aware of 142 shooting scenes, with a total of 181 people being injured or killed. This year (2022) so far, we have been made aware of  144 shooting scenes, with a total of 184 people being injured or killed.

A CLOSER LOOK

The year 2021 was violent and extremely deadly. January saw eight people shot with six homicides. February saw twenty-six people shot with nine homicides. March saw thirteen people shot with ten homicides. April saw four people shot with four homicides. May saw sixteen people shot with four homicides. June saw eighteen people shot with six homicides. July saw six people shot with five homicides. August saw twenty people shot with five homicides. September saw twenty-two people shot with six homicides. October saw twenty-one people shot with five homicides. November saw ten people shot with five homicides. December saw eighteen people shot with six homicides. A total of 181 people were shot, while coroner officials pronounced 73 people deceased from homicidal causes.

According to our calculations, every two days in 2021 someone was shot and every five days someone died from homicidal causes.

The year of 2022 is violently getting worse in number of people shot. January saw twelve people shot with one homicide. February saw thirty-one people shot with seven homicides. March saw thirty-six people shot with two homicides. April saw twelve people shot with six homicides. May saw ten people shot with one homicide. June saw ten people shot with two homicides. July saw fourteen people shot with two homicides. August saw eighteen people shot with six homicides. September saw ten people shot with six homicides. October saw thirteen people shot with five homicides. November saw fourteen people shot with two homicides. December has only seen saw three people shot with zero homicides. A total of 184 people have been shot so far, while coroner officials pronounced 40 people deceased from homicidal causes.

According to our calculations, every one day in 2022 someone is shot and every nine days someone died from homicidal causes.

Muscogee Muckraker, a social media site showcasing local news about the city of Columbus and surrounding areas, says data suggest roughly one in every thousand residents has literally taken a bullet in 2022.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

• Proactive Policing: Patrol High Crime Areas and work at arresting violent warrants and validated gang members who participate in crimes.
• Community Policing: Community Engagement and Building Relationships.

During crime reduction plans, operations to suppress crime was conducted by Columbus Police Department and Georgia State Patrol. The four operations this year has led to 234 arrests, 43 which were released on principle summons, 434 criminal charges, 94 felonies, 340 misdemeanors, 109 criminal arrest warrants served, and 110 contacts with firearms. 231 pills/708.10 grams ooh illegal drugs seized, which is a street value of $37,914.

“During these details, we went to hotspot locations and focused on gang members who were involved in illegal acts,” Blackmon added. “We were able to take drugs off the streets.”

The Special Operations Unit of the department went through a lot of challenges during these operations, the Chief of Police stated. Officers continue to work day and night fighting crime.

Officers with the department, along with assistance from the faith based community, also held three Funds For Guns Gun Buy Back Program. On April 6, 2022, 111 firearms were turned in. On May 25, 2022, 110 firearms were collected. On July 20, 2022, 110 firearms were collected. Total guns collected by police were 331. “To make our community safer, we need all hands on deck,” The Chief of Police said.

The community relations unit continues to work on programs and projects such as: Community Outreach, SALT, Partners in Education, Survey’s, Safety Patrol, CAD, GA Special Olympics, Explorers, DARE, Crime Stoppers, Neighborhood Watch, Project Lifesaver, Handicapped Parking Enforcers, and CPD TOURS.

REACTION TO CRIME PROBLEMS

At a recent city council hearing where public safety talked about crime and department upgrades and updates, Isaiah Hugley, the city manager, spoke to the public safety about violent crime. “Each leader of these public safety agencies have dealt with one of the most difficult times we’ve lived in – in my lifetime,” he began with his reply. “We’ve had some really challenging times but we just haven’t had challenging times in Columbus, Georgia, we have had challenging times across the country.”

Hugley then began referring to an article from a Birmingham news paper of what’s going on in Birmingham. “One excerpt from this article… says violent crime in Birmingham is skyrocketing, and it going one to say, no effective solution has been offered by city officials to curb the out of control and deadly violence. City residents have a greater chance of becoming the next murder victim than they do of getting a job,” Hugley added.

Hugley then said, “For those people who just think it’s Columbus, Georgia, that we’ve had some challenges, it is not. It is all over this nation. Hugley then states all top ten dangerous cities in the world. Columbus, Georgia was not on the top ten list.

“I don’t see Columbus, Georgia, listed on here ya know, so you have challenges but we are gonna get through this, ya know as we get out of the pandemic so I say, keep doing what you are doing and working at the things you shared,” Hugley said. “I am optimistic that we are on the right track and I think Columbus is one of the coolest…” Hugley then starts to refer to a recent article which states “this town in Georgia has been ranked as one of the coolest places in the United States.”

Columbus, Georgia is a great place to live, Hugley said.

CNAW MAPS

CNAW2NEWS.com also marks every homicide and every shooting on Google Maps. Click the following to see both maps –

2022 Columbus Shooting Victims Map – 

2022 Columbus GA Homicide Map – 

CNAW2NEWS.com will always continue to make the community aware of breaking news, most importantly crime stories, to our community.