Murder Victim On Cell Phone During Shooting
The city’s latest murder victim was talking on his cell phone when he was shot and killed. Vickie Perez initially told Police she was acting in self defense when she shot Allport and she…
Robbie Watson
Articles
Deadly Police Encounter Prompts Civil Lawsuit
The family of Hector Arreola tells First News exclusively they are still waiting on the City to acknowledge his death after an encounter with local police. Now armed with their own medical expert and…
Judge Denies Road Rage Suspect’s Motion for Immunity
An East Alabama Judge shot down a murder suspect’s plea for immunity from prosecution. Justin Davidson was using Alabama’s version of the stand your ground law to avoid prosecution for the murder of retired…
GBI Investigates Invictus Boys Home
The GBI is investigating the Invictus Boys home owned by the Muscogee County Marshal. The Office of the Child Advocate is responsible for independent oversight of the Invictus Boys home and their agency has…
City Driver Charged With Homicide
A City Driver is facing criminal charges after a fatal crash in January. The deadly crash occurred on River Road near the intersection of Willett Drive in North Columbus. The 72 year old…
British Soldier Charged After Downtown Crime Spree
The British are coming! 26 year old Adam Taylor told Columbus Police he spent the first weekend in February drinking alcohol downtown. The British Soldier had been in town only one week for training…
Sheriff Responds To Violent Jail Fights
Four inmates have been stabbed in the eye in less than two months inside the Muscogee County Jail. Sheriff Donna Tompkins tells First News exclusively the incidents are a direct reflection of what is…
Agents Raid Southeast Regional Pain Center
Agents from the Inspector General’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration swooped in just after 9am huddling the staff with clients in the main lobby while a search warrant was executed. According to…
Protestors Turn Heads on Manchester Expressway
The phone here at First News was ringing off the hook. People of all ages were asking what pray tell is this bloody protest all about? The non profit known as the Bloodstained Men…
Domestic Dispute Prompts Deadly Gun Battle
Investigators report it was a domestic dispute that sparked a full on shootout inside this Castlegate Apartment building. It ended with the death of Columbus native Johnny Wells. Residents in this Windsor park neighborhood…
Country’s Cook Barbecues Bank Account
A Country’s BBQ worker is in jail after court testimony she was prepping more than pork platters. Scott Ressmeyer, the popular co owner of Country’s BBQ who is well known for his giving spirit…
Exclusive: DHS Documents Show Major Deficiencies In Boys Home
An exclusive report obtained by the Department of Human Services details a prior history of problems with the Invictus Mental Wellness Center. We reached out to the state agencies tasked with the oversight of…
Police Reports Document Abuse at Boys Home
The Invictus Transformational Mental Health and Wellness Home has become such a source of controversy here in East Columbus neighbors literally rushed up to our cameras hoping somebody, anybody would pay attention to what…
Murder Suspect Nabbed 34 Years After Killing
A murder suspect on the run from law enforcement for nearly 34 years is back in the custody of law enforcement. David Anthony Pike made bond after he was charged with the murder of…
Seale Couple Killed For Beer, Used Car
A Seale Couple was shot dead for their used Honda and food and beer according to the Russell County Sheriff. The stunning new details about the double murder were revealed during an afternoon press…
House Fire Sparks Double Homicide Investigation
A deadly house fire initially reported as accidental has now caught the attention of homicide investigators. Emergency Responders were called to the home on Silver Run Drive in East Alabama Sunday night. Once the…
Emotional Skip Henderson Sworn In
An emotional Skip Henderson shared tears of joy as he was officially sworn into office this morning in front of a standing room only crowd. Dozens of well wishers, including five former Mayors crammed…
Trailer Park Controversy Lands in Court
A trailer park controversy in South Columbus landed in Superior Court Friday afternoon. The City put residents of the Fort Benning Estates on notice over the Christmas holidays telling them they had to relocate…
Cell Phone Ignites Deadly Father, Son New Year’s Day Dispute
Investigators believe a cell phone ignited the deadly dispute between a Columbus man and his son New Year’s Day. Alfonzo Walker was allegedly shot dead by his son at the Hannah Heights Apartment Complex…
Condemned Trailer Park in Path of $55 Million DOT Project
The owner of a condemned trailer park is calling foul. The people here are being booted from their rental property in regular Grinch like fashion. The owner tells First News exclusively it’s not about…
Standoff Suspect Appears in Court
The standoff suspect who shot at police and her own husband forcing an hours long standoff appeared in front of a Judge this morning. Rhonda Crute appeared here on eleven different charges after that…
Snapchat Suspect Lures 13 Year Old For Sex
A police detective testified Todd Jones used Snapchat to send nude photos and videos of himself to a thirteen year old boy he met in October. Messages on the social media site led to…
Domestic Dispute Leads To Shots Fired, SWAT Standoff
Patrol officers were responding to a domestic dispute here when they rolled up on the scene they were greeted by an armed woman and the situation escalated quickly. Columbus Police were called to 1309…
Former School Custodians Facing Child Sex Charges
Two former school custodians were arrested this past weekend for felony sex charges. People familiar with the couple who worked locally as school custodians were shocked to hear of the arrest and the nature…
Shooting Victim Gives Facebook Live Update
A shooting victim took to social media to let friends and family know he was okay after a triple shooting late Thursday. Police and emergency personnel responded to the Hood Street Apartments around 9:30…
Friends Watch Victim Overdose, Dump Body In Cemetery
Friends of a local woman watched her overdose and then dumped her body according to a Police Detective. 34 year old Michelle Chambers was discovered dead and partially clothed at a local cemetery in…
Realtor Recovering After Robbery, Stabbing
A popular realtor is recovering after being robbed and stabbed repeatedly. Dan Parker was coming out of the Rosehill Seafood Restaurant when the suspect approached him on foot and stabbed him multiple times. Blood…
Local Voters Flock to Polls for Runoff
Local voters head back to the polls for a December runoff and statewide showdown for Georgia’s Secretary of State. The race for Georgia’s Secretary of State and Public Service Commissioner not normally a barn…
Former Glenwood Football Star Critically Injured Helping Motorist
A former Glenwood football star was critically injured helping a woman with a flat tire. Friends and family tell First News Quandarius Holt wouldn’t hesitate to help somebody in need and they weren’t surprised…
Suspect Vehicle Linked to Double Murder Located
The suspect vehicle wanted in connection with a double murder has been located. Police Major JD Hawk tells First News that white Ford truck they found here on Henry Avenue is the exact same…
Columbus Toddler, Father Shot Dead
A Columbus Toddler was one of two people shot dead early Tuesday morning. Columbus Police responding to a vacant property on Stuart Drive discovered the gruesome scene. A father and his three year old…
Officer Recovering After Thanksgiving Crash
A Columbus Police cruiser was destroyed and the officer driving it was sent to the hospital after a Thanksgiving day crash. The incident happened here at one of the busiest intersections in Columbus at…
DA: Lack of Cooperation Delays Death Penalty Case
A Chambers County DA told a Judge he needs cooperation from the Columbus Police Department to move forward with a death penalty case against Stacey Gray. The family of Renee Eldridge has routinely shown…
Police Pilot Killed In Helicopter Crash
UPDATE A pilot for the Columbus Police Department is feared dead after a helicopter crash. Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said a co pilot may have been picked up in Auburn and was on…
Lawsuit: Police Shooting “Shocks the Conscience”
A second federal lawsuit has been filed against the City of Columbus, former police officer Allan Brown, and Police Chief Ricky Boren. The lawsuit stems from a high speed chase across state lines involving…
Candidates Fly In to House Divided at Columbus Airport
Political Candidates fly in to a house divided thanks to mother nature and low visibility this morning. It was a rare, awkward moment here at the Columbus Airport and a little bit comical after…
Police Shooting Prompts Civil Rights Claims
A police shooting two years ago is prompting a flurry of civil lawsuits against the City of Columbus and the former officer involved. The attorneys representing the three parties involved vowed to take the…
Spencer Teacher Accused of Sex With Student
The Spencer High School teacher was taken into police custody on Halloween after Investigators were tipped off to multiple social media posts referencing the alleged sexual encounters. The Muscogee County School District was apparently…
Brian Kemp Takes Exception To “Outsiders”
Brian Kemp’s supporters got up before the chickens here to see the Republican candidate for Governor one last time with less than a week now to go before the midterm election. “Look, I’m just…
Home Invasion Suspect Yells He’s Innocent in Court Drama
A home invasion suspect was determined to let the court know he was innocent during a probable cause hearing Monday. Adrian Jacobs allegedly broke through the screen window of the victim’s house demanding…
Stacey Abrams: Prison #1 Mental Health Provider
Stacey Abrams rolled into town with her “We Are Georgia” bus tour for one of her final campaign stops in Columbus before Election Day. The Governor hopeful caught the raucous crowd here at Columbus…
Road Rage Shooter Requests Immunity
The road rage shooter accused of gunning down retired Army combat medic Lorenzo Freeman SR. in the parking lot of a Fort Mitchell Dollar General is using a “stand your ground” defense. Justin Davidson…
Teen Shot Dead in His Own Yard
A teen was shot dead in his own South Columbus yard baffling neighbors and family members. The mother of the victim wailed on the sidewalk as investigators scoured the scene for clues. Witnesses reported…
Bloody Walls Lead Cops To Gruesome Scene
Bloody walls and dog fur lead to the arrest of a local teenager. The Columbus teen was living in foster care when the stray dog caught his attention. The black dog wouldn’t leave the…
Veteran Remembered as Symbol of Strength
Family and friends gathered to remember not so much about how John Dawson died but how the three war veteran lived, 92 years faithful to God, his Country and his family. Dawson was attacked…
Three War Veteran Killed By Home Intruder
John Dawson was a three war veteran having survived WWII, Korea and Vietnam. At 92 years old he was doing yard work and tending to his wife the day Detectives say a mentally deranged…
Property Owner Squares Off Against Water Works
The property owner of a South Columbus mobile home park is squaring off against the Columbus Water Works after they shut the water off. With temperatures still soaring near the upper 80’s, residents…
Suspect Chased Victim in Traffic Before Shooting
A Columbus police detective recounted in graphic detail how Markel Ervin, armed with a 9mm handgun allegedly chased the victim, Destinee Virgin in traffic before unloading his firearm in front of horrified witnesses. According…
Murder Cases Bogged Down by State Mental Evaluations
The lead Prosecutor in Russell County like others across the state of Alabama is sounding the alarm. Ken Davis tells First News the lack of funding for the court’s mental health system is having…
Murder Suspect Made Bond Days After Kidnapping
A murder suspect was captured in Harris County and returned to Columbus for a preliminary hearing. The Chief Deputy with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department tells First News they recieved multiple calls Sunday about…
