COLUMBUS, Ga. — A suspect is in custody after a deadly shooting at a north Columbus foundry early Wednesday morning.
Columbus Police said officers responded around 6:16 a.m. on September 3, 2025, to reports of shots fired in the 1600 block of Northside Industrial Boulevard. Shortly after, a gunshot victim arrived at St. Francis Emory Hospital on Manchester Expressway.
The victim, identified as 54-year-old Lawrence Perry, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Following an investigation by the Violent Crimes Unit, police identified 32-year-old Walter Bethune as the suspect. With assistance from CPD’s Fugitive Unit and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Bethune was located in Smiths Station, Alabama, and taken into custody. He is being held at the Lee County Jail, awaiting extradition to Columbus, where he faces a murder charge.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. M. Ruiz at 706-225-4379 or ruiz.mary-macy@columbusga.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
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