“It is a safe city”: Police chief says after 9 juveniles shot Friday night
Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon, along with Mayor Skip Henderson held a press conference hours after nine children, between the ages of 5 and 17, were injured.
Columbus Police Department’s Patrol Unit was dispatched to the 4400 block of Warm Springs Road (Shell Gas Station) in reference to a shooting on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 10:11 p.m.. Officers found several gunshot victims and a large group of people.
Members of our Robbery and Assault Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
Nine victims, all under the age of 18, are being treated for non-life threating injuries at local hospitals.
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 boy was at the gas station with his family and was not the main target of the shooting. The shooting occurred at the gas station after an altercation occurred at a nearby warehouse event center, and the crowd moved to the gas station, when the shooting broke out.
“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 in a press release. The same statement was read by Chief Blackmon at the press conference.
No arrests have been made at this time. “We will not rest til an arrest is made,” Chief Blackmon said.
After Chief Blackmon gave his statement , we asked him, if his officers had been dispatched out to previous alterations at this event center. He stated, If 911 is called, our officers will respond to incidents where police are requested, and so, we will certainly investigate cases that are brought to our attention.
Also during the question part of the press conference another reporter asked about staffing of the department, Chief Blackmon stated “we have officers in our city, it’s a safe city.” He added that his department is working on hiring more officers.
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
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