COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – We have the latest update on the tragic case of a 15-year-old boy who was shot and killed in Columbus as he got off his school bus on Thursday afternoon.
Columbus police made an arrest within hours of the incident, crediting new technology for the swift apprehension. However, they also have a warning for parents tonight.
Roannnil Clanton, 20, is now in police custody following the shooting that left 15-year-old Earkavion Lee dead. The teen was brutally shot as he got off the school bus.
“It’s sad. It truly is horribly sad that a child in Georgia, in the United States for that matter, cannot feel safe just coming to school,” said Police Chief Greg Arp with the Muscogee County School District.
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Arp’s agency was the first to respond after 15-year-old Earkaivion Lee was shot and killed at the corner of Watkins and Wilkins Drive on Thursday in Columbus.
“And it’s horrible. My heart goes out to the families that are involved and it’s really, really tragic,” he added.
Now, Clanton is facing a murder charge along with six counts of aggravated assault.
“Six counts of aggravated assault are for people who were in the area when the shooting occurred,” Columbus Police Deputy Chief Lance Deaton with said.
The Columbus Police Department has taken over the investigation and was seen in the neighborhood earlier Friday. The department credits new technology for making an arrest within hours Thursday night.
“We did use some of our our more current police technology to help with this investigation along with some our partnering agencies,” Deaton added.
Additionally, people who live and work in the area have expressed their willingness to assist law enforcement in any way they can.
John Williams, the owner of nearby apartments, recently purchased Flock cameras and hopes they captured video of the shooters to help solve the crime.
“the ability to come together as a community and be problem solvers and not problem makers, if you will.”
Officers say that while they aren’t sure of the exact reason Lee was gunned down, they urge parents to be more involved with their children.
Police also stated that more arrests are expected in this case.
Clanton is scheduled to appear in Recorder’s Court on Tuesday, September 24 at 8 a.m.
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