Authorities in Columbus have confirmed the identity of a man killed in a shooting late Friday night in the Stone Creek subdivision. The victim has been identified as 40-year-old William Javon Tatum, a resident of Columbus.
According to the Columbus Police Department, officers were dispatched around 9 p.m. on October 10, 2025, after receiving multiple reports of gunfire in the 5000 block of Stone Park Drive, near Warm Springs Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered Tatum near an SUV with a shattered window, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
SUPPORT THE FAMILY - GOD BLESS YOU
Emergency responders rushed Tatum to Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown Campus, but despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced deceased at 9:38 p.m., confirmed Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.
Investigators spent several hours processing the scene and collecting evidence, including at least one shell casing found close to the vehicle. Police have not released details about potential suspects or a motive in the ongoing investigation.
This tragedy marks the third shooting in Columbus this week and the city’s second homicide since Monday. Police data indicates that 24 murders have occurred in Columbus between January 1 and October 7, 2025 — four fewer than during the same timeframe last year.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to contact the Columbus Police Department’s Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers.