One person has died and another is in custody following a Monday shooting in South Columbus.
Tyler Blair Blackwell, 18, of Columbus has been charged with the murder of Xavier Johnson, 20, also of Columbus, according to Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton.
Officers with Columbus Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in the 500 block of 16th Avenue South shortly after 1 p.m. There, first responders found Johnson in the street and attempted to perform life-saving procedures. However, Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant later pronounced Johnson dead at the scene.
Shelton said at a virtual press conference Monday that police had a person of interest in custody, but Blackwell was not formally arrested until this morning.
Johnson and Blackwell knew each other and got into an argument shortly before the shooting occurred, Shelton said during Monday’s press conference.
He added the shooting appears to be an isolated incident.
Merchant said Johnson’s body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Pearl for autopsy.
Blackwell’s bond has not been set. Authorities did not release Blackwell’s mugshot by press time.
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