Columbus police say they”ll be out day and night enforcing a Spring Break curfew, especially after two weekend shooting incidents.
Police are investigating incidents involving firearms at a popular club and the Columbus Fairgrounds, which resulted in an arrest and assorted injuries.
According to CPD Public Information Officer Terrie Songer, Jameale Willis, A.K.A. “Millsaps,” 18, of 729 19th St. N. in Columbus, has been described as a person of interest in a shooting incident which occurred Saturday night.
It took place at an event held at the David Lavender Coliseum described as a “pajama party.” The Columbus Fairgrounds are located at 764 Hwy. 69 S. in Columbus.
Songer said a police officer heard gunfire at the fairgrounds at approximately 11:45 p.m.
“Shots were fired inside the coliseum and in the parking lot of the fairgrounds where 350-400 people had gathered. There was a mass exodus of people leaving the building when the shots were fired. According to witnesses, five black males entered the coliseum, all were wearing black clothing and caps,” she said.
Officers knew about the party, and were doing a routine check when the shooting happened, at what officers were told was a “pajama party,” Songer said.
Songer added these types of incidents have been going on for several weekends at the fairgrounds.
“We have tried to be out there every weekend working to prevent anything really bad from happening. Unfortunately this time two people were shot,” she said.
Songer said a 19-year-old male and a 16-year-old female were struck by bullets.
“They were not the intended targets. There were no intended targets. It was just someone shooting a gun inside,” she said.
A bullet grazed a right hand finger on the male, and he was treated on the scene. The female was shot in the upper arm, and was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle where she was treated and released.
Songer said Willis has a history with law enforcement. He was arrested in connection with a Nov. 18 drive-by shooting on Military Road.
No motive in the fairgrounds shooting has been determined.
Songer credited Lt. John Pevey and members of the Drug Interdiction and Criminal Enforcement team for their efforts.
“They were there to make sure that any juveniles attending the party were gone before the midnight curfew. They also prevented more people from getting hurt. Deputies from the Lowndes County Sheriff”s Department also assisted, and their help is appreciated,” Songer said.
CPD Police Chief Joseph St. John also applauded the efforts of his officers.
“I am proud of the way Lt. Pevey and his men took care of the situation,” he said.
Songer said that with school dismissed for spring break, officers were be out to ensure young people will follow curfew.
Curfew is 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and midnight on Friday-Sunday.
Grey Goose shooting
In the second incident, CPD arrested Marquez Kentrel Carter at 2:30 Saturday morning. Carter, 21, of 1147 Tabernacle Road in Columbus, was arrested on charges of five counts of aggravated assault and possession of marijuana.
Songer said the arrest stems from an incident that took place at the Grey Goose Friday at 12:14 a.m. The Grey Goose is located at 106 22nd St. S.
“Officers were dispatched to the Grey Goose in reference to several shots being fired,” Songer said.
Songer added that when officers arrived on the scene, they located a victim with a gunshot wound to his arm. The victim was transported to the emergency room at BMH-GT where he was treated and released.
Songer said officers received information that Carter was at a Friday party at the fairgrounds. Other officers were already at the party doing a walk-through, including the parking lot area.
“Information was relayed to the officers at the fairgrounds, and they immediately began searching for Carter,” she said.
Officers located Carter in the back seat of a vehicle in the parking lot, and they recognized him on sight because of previous dealings with him.
“Carter was arrested without incident. Carter was also charged with possession of marijuana after an officer located a small baggie of marijuana on his person while patting him down,” Songer said.
Songer said three of the five aggravated assault charges were the result of the Grey Goose incident, and the remaining two result from an incident which occurred Thursday at 9:30 p.m. at 702 Military Road.
Songer said at that time a female and her child were walking in the parking lot of Minner Quick Stop, located at 702 Military Road as Carter drove up to the gas pumps and got out of his vehicle. He came around the pumps pointing a gun at the female and her one-year-old child.
“Carter then pointed the gun at the ground and fired one shot, hitting the ground right in front of her and her child. The investigation is still ongoing and additional charges could possibly follow,” she said.
No bond or court date has been set for Carter.
Police do not believe there is a connection between the Friday and Saturday night incidents.
Allen Baswell was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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