Columbus Police apprehended three suspects last week and are seeking a fourth in connection with the July 11 murder of 35-year-old Eddie Terrell Bankhead.
The fourth suspect, Michael Deangelo Ross, 31, of 152 Robin St. in Columbus, is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds. He has a tattoo of a woman on his left lower arm, a tattoo of the name “Mike” on his lower right arm and the words “Tru to the Gang” tattooed on his back.
Bankhead, of 2018 1/2 College St., was shot last Monday at his home and died in surgery at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.
His first cousin, Derrick Bankhead, 33, of 901 11th St. S., Apt. T-5, turned himself in to police Thursday night. Later that night, police arrested Omar Beard, 28, of 815 13th St. N., Apt. C-4. Friday afternoon, police arrested Cortez Williams, 26, of 515 18th St. N.
The three have been charged with murder. Williams was denied bond, while Beard”s bond was set at $1 million and Derrick Bankhead”s bond was set at $350,000.
Columbus Police Department Public Information Officer Terrie Songer said Ross has a long history of run-ins with the law, including burglary, auto burglary, drug possession and probation violation.
Attempted robbery is still believed to be the motive of the shooting, she said, and it is not believed to be gang related.
She attributed the swift apprehension of the previous three suspects to the public”s response.
“The people calling in information, it wouldn”t be possible without them,” Songer said Monday morning. “We appreciate them. We have to all work together to try to stop crime.”
To call in a tip on this case, call the Columbus Police Department at 662-244-3570 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151.
Dispatch staff reporters Ryan Poe and Jason Browne contributed to this story.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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