A horrific and violent weekend in Columbus has left 17 people shot, with five of those being killed.
The violence began when Columbus Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Ewart Avenue and Forsyth Street in reference to an injured person on Friday, February 17, 2023 around 3:50 A.M.
Responding officers found a male, later identified as 63- year-old Wiley “Lee” Jackson, lying in the street suffering from gunshot wounds. Columbus Fire and EMS performed life-saving measures but were unsuccessful. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan pronounced Jackson deceased at 4:45 a.m.
The Columbus Police Department’s Homicide Unit was called in to take lead on the investigation.
Several hours later, The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Gang, Drug, and Fugitive Investigators encountered a validated gang member in a stolen vehicle out of Phenix City, in the area of Radcliff Avenue and MLK Boulevard. The subject driving the stolen vehicle was identified as Jamarian Hammonds. Hammond fled from the stolen vehicle on foot. He later turned and took a stance to fire a single shot at a Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office Investigator. During that moment, the investigator gave his K9 command to take control of the shooter Jamarian Hammonds. The handgun used by Hammonds was reported stolen out of Columbus. This case is still under investigation.
Not even an hour later, a person was shot on Henry Avenue at Schaul Street. Columbus police were called to 2300 block of Henry Avenue near Schaul Street where they found one person seriously injured around 6:30 P.M. on February 17, 2023. Medics transported the victim to Piedmont Columbus Regional. The victim, identified as 24-year-old Deanthony Miles, was shot multiple times and pronounced deceased at 6:58 P.M. Jail records confirmed 23-year-old Kenyonte Hudson is charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a knife or firearm during the commission of a crime.
The violence was not over Friday night as authorities with Columbus Police Department, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, and Columbus Fire and EMS responded to a shooting with a large crowd with multiple victims at the Shell gas station which is in the 4400 block of Warm Springs Road at 10:11 P.M. Members of the department’s Robbery and Assault Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
The shooting occurred after an altercation at an event center at a nearby warehouse.
Nine victims, all under the age of 18, are being treated for non-life threating injuries at local hospitals. Four of the nine victims have since been released from the hospital.
The victims are as follows:
• Male, 5
• Male, 12
• Female, 13
• Female, 13
• Male, 13
• Male, 14
• Male, 15
• Male, 15
• Male, 17
The five year old victim was not part of the original altercation or birthday party, and was an innocent victim.
“The rash of gun violence involving our youth is impacting communities across the country. While Columbus is not immune to these incidents, I want to assure citizens that the men and women of CPD are tirelessly working to get violent offenders off our streets. It is going to take a community effort to combat gun violence in our city. The entire
village has a responsibility because incidents like this impacts all of us,” says Chief Freddie Blackmon.
No arrests have been made at this time. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call Det. E. Rosado at 706-225-3162. Citizens can also submit anonymous tips via TipSoft: https://bit.ly/3Ie2oOD
The violence stopped until Saturday, February 18, 2023, before 7 P.M., after one person had been shot in the leg at Ballard Way Apartments, on Hunter Road, off of Floyd Road. The person was taken to a nearby hospital and received medical treatment. The victim is in stable condition.
More than an hour later, police responded to reports of multiple gunshots being fired in Oakland Park. The scene was taped off at Rice Street near Sharp Avenue. No injuries were reported.
At 9:09 P.M., the violence continued when a subject opened gunfire into a room where four family members were shot, two of which died.
The scene took place at the Motel 6, at 3050 Victory Drive. Medics from across the city, as well as Columbus firefighters, and police officials responded to the scene. Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Dustin Harrelson, as well as Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Elizabeth Allison, with homicide and crime scene investigators were summoned to the scene.
Harrelson pronounced a father, identified as 54-year-old Michael Carter Sr, and his son, 19-year-old Michael Carter Jr., were pronounced dead on scene at 9:48 P.M due to multiple gunshot wounds. The mother and a a young child were transported to a nearby medical facility for further medical treatment. Both are fighting for their lives. No suspects have been arrested.
The violence stopped, until Sunday, February 19, 2023, around 1:30 P.M., when gunshots rang out at 5200 Village Way, off of St Mary’s Road. One person, later identified as 15-year-old Leonardo Kentrell Luke, was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional and was pronounced dead at 1:51 P.M. Homicide and crime scene investigators responded to the scene, and Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Ben Saxon was summoned to the hospital. No arrests have been made at this time.
Later on Sunday, around 4:55 P.M., shots rang out on 18th Avenue, directly in front of crowded Lakebottom park into a blue vehicle. Seventeen crime scene markers were placed down to mark evidence related to the gunfire. The driver of the vehicle was injured by glass, and refused medical treatment. No suspects have been arrested in this case.
After this weekend, Columbus has had 9 homicides, and 33 people shot as of February 20, 2023. If you know anything, contact Columbus Police.
