A Columbus man was found dead at the 300 block of Eighth Street North early Sunday morning after witnesses reported hearing gunshots.
Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant identified the man as Tedd Thomas Wood, 35. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Merchant, 911 received a call around 1:15 a.m. reporting gunshots fired near the Sandpiper Apartments.
Interim Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen said 911 received a call at 1:37 a.m. reporting a body lying in the middle of the street.
“(The caller) noticed the body had multiple gunshot wounds,” McQueen said.
This was the second homicide during the weekend in Columbus.
The body of 34-year-old Alfonso Lathan Jr., of Columbus, was found around 10:15 a.m. Saturday at Luxapalila Creek.
A fisherman noticed the body near the boat landing at the Luxapalila Creek Recreation Area off Highway 69. Lathan appeared to have been shot, with a trail of evidence leading from a nearby bathroom to the river bank.
Investigators are pursuing leads on the two homicides.
“We collected physical evidence (in both cases),” McQueen said Monday afternoon, declining to disclose what evidence was found.
No arrests have been made in either case. McQueen does not believe the two incidents are related.
The CPD released a statement Monday asking for community help in providing investigators information about the two incidents.
“These crimes have our immediate and full attention, and we are committed to solving and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law,” the release reads. “We need your help since this must be a joint effort on behalf of our investigators, patrol, narcotics, community relations and the public.”
There have been five homicides in Columbus this year, including the two from this past weekend.
Anyone with information about the crimes should call the Columbus Police Department at 662-244-3528, or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151. Callers can offer anonymous tips.
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