🌱 Columbus PD Investigating Fatal Shooting + Chief Blackmon 'Retires'

Good morning. It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Columbus Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm. High: 56 Low: 48.
• Sunday: Remaining cloudy and warmer. High: 67 Low: 47.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Columbus:

1. The Columbus Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting in East Columbus on Apr. 5. Police found 23-year-old Derrick Antonio Jr., who was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound at 5:40 p.m., in the area of Old Buena Vista Road. According to Muscogee County coroner Bryan, no gun was found on the scene and the death is being treated as a homicide. (WTVM 9)
2. Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon accepted the city’s revised severance offer and will receive $400,000 along with other benefits. As of Apr. 6, Blackmon is on administrative leave and will retire effective Apr. 30. Mayor Skip Henderson will name an interim chief "in the near future." (WRBL)
3. With new doughnut vendors and new locations of local favorites, doughnuts are on the mind in Columbus and WTVM has named it "Donut Wars, but in a good way." A longtime local favorite, Golden Donuts, is opening a new store in the old Wynnton Road Burger King. In late summer, Veri Best Donuts will have a new uptown competitor when Parlor Donuts opens in the new Highside Market. The new Tim Horton’s, serving Canada's famous doughnut, is coming to Veteran’s Parkway. Columbus’ Best Donuts, a new locally-owned shop across from the Wynnton Road Wendy’s is also in the "war." Add in Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts, and Columbus has seven separate doughnut shops to choose from! Let the "Donut Wars" begin and find your favorite local doughnut. (WTVM 9)

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Today and tomorrow in Columbus:

Saturday, April 8

• Easter Egg Hunt 2023 At Liberty Baptist Church (12:00 PM)
• Columbus Jazz Jam At Columbus Public Library (2:30 PM)

Sunday, April 9

• FAA Annual Easter Picnic At Oxbow Meadows Pavilion (12:00 PM)

From my notebook

• The Columbus Fire Department posted a photo of a person believed to have a connection to the recent arson investigation in East Columbus. Anyone with information on the person of interest shown at the link should contact Sgt. Collins at (706) 225-4216. (WTVM News Leader 9 via Twitter)
• The Columbus Children's Book Festival Party is on Apr. 11! The event will start at 3 p.m. at South Columbus Public Library. (All Events)
• Want to add a shaggy ball of four-legged love and affection to your family and help your community at the same time? See adoptable pets in the Columbus area, including an adorable, young, black labrador retriever puppy named Gracelynn! (Columbus Patch)

That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!