Update x2: According to Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen, Jared Rashad Reed – the third party who police believe was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle when the weapon discharged – turned himself in today to authorities. Police were searching for Reed, who had an outstanding contempt of court warrant separate from Sunday’s incident.
Update: Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant released the victim’s name at around 1:45 p.m. today. The victim is Marquez Carter, 23, of Columbus. Merchant said the body will be taken to Jackson on Tuesday for an autopsy.
An incident early this morning in Columbus resulted in one man dead and one female behind bars.
According to Columbus Police Department Investigator Raymond Hackler, an incident occurred at 1320 Second Ave. N. just after 4 a.m. Hackler said three people, two males and one female, were inside a parked light brown Chevrolet Malibu when the female started playing with a gun. The gun was discharged once and struck the victim, a male, in the head.
Kalmesha Jackson, 23, of Columbus, was taken into custody on scene, questioned at the CPD and charged with murder. An exact address was not available. Jackson is being held at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center. Bond has not been set.
The victim’s name has not been released; Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant said all family members have not been notified as of 11 a.m. today. Merchant did say that the victim is a Columbus resident. According to Merchant, the victim did not die immediately. He was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle and died at the hospital due to gunshot wounds, Merchant said.
Hackler said the vehicle belonged to Jackson and police believe she was sitting in the driver’s seat. The victim was believed to be sitting in the passenger’s seat and the third person, Jared Rashad Reed, was sitting in a back seat.
According to Hackler, Reed, 23, of Columbus, “fled the scene” and police were looking for him regarding an outstanding warrant separate from today’s incident. Hackler would not say whether Reed would be charged for anything related to the incident but said the investigation continues.
Hackler said a wallet was found near the intersection of 14th Street North and Second Avenue North. It is unknown who the wallet belongs to or if it relates to the incident.
“We have it in evidence right now and are continuing to investigate,” Hackler said.
It is unknown whether the trio had alcohol or drugs in their system at the time of the incident.
The location of the incident is approximately two blocks from the Columbus Police Department.
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