A man accused of opening fire in the Columbus Cracker Barrel and injuring a manager has been indicted for attempted murder.
Robert Beck, 28, was arrested after authorities said he entered Cracker Barrel looking for his ex-girlfriend, an employee of the restaurant, on June 22. An altercation ensued and Beck, who had already been banned from the premises, shot the assistant manager and fled. Beck was arrested in Cookeville, Tennessee, the next day and returned to Columbus.
The manager was treated at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle for life-threatening injuries and later released.
In a separate indictment, another Columbus resident is charged with two counts of child exploitation.
Jamie Tracey, 25, was arrested in May after investigators with the state Attorney General’s Office reported Tracey possessed child pornography.
The AG’s Office identified Tracey as female in its press release announcing Tracey’s arrest because that is how Tracey identifies. However, justice and circuit court documents in Lowndes County identify Tracey as male.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.