Columbus 15-year-old shot and killed after getting off school bus.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – A Columbus teenager tragically died after getting off the school bus Thursday afternoon.
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan identified the victim as 15-year-old Earkavion Lee.
Authorities tell us the shooting happened in the 2300 block of Watkins Drive near Lamore Street around 4:30 p.m. The coroner said Lee died of his injuries at Piedmont Columbus Regional around 5:15 p.m.
“It’s a gut punch anytime a violent crime takes place, particularly when somebody loses their life. It’s horrible,” said Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson.
The teen was a student in the Muscogee County School District, a 9th grader at Kendrick High School.
“There’s something extra wrong about this,” Henderson said. “This kid was getting off the school bus where he was supposed to be saved. He had been to school…15 years old. It’s a senseless, senseless act. Now that it’s happened but the only thing you can think about is bringing those who did it to justice.”
The school district released the following statement about Porter:
The Muscogee County School District mourns the tragic loss of one of our students, Earkavion Lee, a 9th-grade student at Kendrick High School, as a result of senseless gun violence. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire school community during this incredibly difficult time.
The safety and well-being of our students are always our top priorities. We are confident that the Columbus Police Department will continue its thorough investigation into this matter, and we ask for respect and privacy for the family at this time.
This loss will undoubtedly raise a range of emotions, concerns, and questions within our school community, particularly among our students. To provide support, the Muscogee County School District’s Crisis Intervention Team, comprised of trained professionals, will be available to address the emotional needs of students, parents, and staff during this difficult time. School counselors are also available to assist and counsel anyone in need.
Please direct any media inquiries regarding this situation to the Columbus Police Department.
Muscogee County School District
We’ve learned that Earkavion Lee is the brother of another Columbus teen, Earkus Porter, who was fatally shot at Belvedere Park in February.
“You’ve got young people who’ve got access to guns that are doing things that their brains haven’t formed completely enough to consider doing,” the mayor added. “We’re going to keep working and our law enforcement won’t rest, crime prevention won’t rest until stop these kind of things from happening.”
“When they catch him, their lives would be spent behind bars for the foreseeable future,” said Henderson.
Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities at 706-225-4363.
