UPDATE: 22-year-old woman arrested in connection to shooting of six year old in south Columbus
UPDATE 5/1/24 3:08 p.m.: The Columbus Police Department (CPD) confirmed in a press conference Wednesday afternoon that a 22-year-old woman has been arrested in connection to the shooting of a six-year-old child.
The Violent Crimes Unit of CPD has identified the suspect as Makaila Briscoe, 22. She is facing four counts of aggravated assault.
“In the early morning hours today, there was a 6-year-old who was struck multiple times from the gun violence,” said Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis. “It’s unacceptable.”
Police responded to the 4500 block of Tracey Street at around 12 a.m. to find Cameron Thomas, 6, unresponsive. Thomas had been shot while playing with his toy truck in the driveway.
Thomas was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional and later transported to a children’s hospital in Atlanta. According to CPD, he is in grave condition.
Police say more arrests are expected.
Chief Mathis says the department can’t take on gun violence alone — the whole community needs to contribute.
“We need the citizens’ help. We need the churches to get involved. We need the pastors to start pastoring their communities,” said Mathis. “We need the fathers to start staying at home with their children. Somebody needs to raise these children and it can’t be the community. It’s got to start at home.”
During the press conference, Chief of Investigations Lance Deaton said there had been a murder every weekend for the last seven weeks. He added there have been 14 murders so far this year — this time in 2023, the total was at 18.
Police arrest man on burglary and criminal mischief charges
You can take a look at the breakdown for 2024 so far below:
Although the murder count may be slightly lower than this time last year, frustration is still growing for Chief Mathis. Here’s what he’s asking of Columbus residents.
“I need your help as a citizens to talk to your neighbors, talk to your friends,” said Mathis. “We’ve got a great team with the sheriff’s department, with these deputies. But absolutely, I am absolutely tired of my officers being called out every night for people shooting each other. Put down the guns, stop breaking into cars, and let’s make Columbus a safe community like it was in the past.”
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A six-year-old child was shot in Columbus on early Wednesday morning, according to the Columbus Police Department.
Details are limited at this time. An investigation is underway.
WRBL will keep you updated on this developing case.
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