Suspect in downtown Columbus shooting arrested in Georgia, given $3M bond
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A 19-year-old Georgia man charged in the fatal shooting over one week ago in Downtown Columbus was arrested over the weekend and was in court Monday morning.
Court records show that on Sunday, Mohamed Fofana, of Austell, Georgia, was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Jusiah Mason, 18, and was being held at Franklin County Jail. Mason was among six people injured during a drive-by shooting that occurred at 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning, near the intersection of South Ludlow Street and West Town Street.
Mason was the only victim hospitalized in critical condition and was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon at 12:36 p.m. There were no other fatalities reported in the shooting, which consisted of four 18-year-olds and two 17-year-olds. Two others were injured, but not from gunshot wounds, police said.
Approximately five minutes before the shooting, officers were called to the area due to a large gathering of people and cars. Police said the crowd was reported to be between 50 and 80, with the shooting occurring while officers were on their way to the scene.
Video surveillance of the incident helped police identify Fofana as being in a 2017 BMW X3 and driving by the location while shooting toward the crowd. The following day Fofana allegedly flew to Atlanta, which is approximately 10 miles east of Austell.
A warrant was issued for Fofana's arrest on Friday and he was booked into Franklin County Jail two days later on a murder charge. On Monday, a Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued Fofana a $3 million bond. He is not allowed to have any firearms, and cannot have future acts of violence or make threats against anyone. Fofana also must surrender his passport.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 2.