Evan Dewayne Garner, 38, of Columbus, Georgia, was shot and killed inside a family home on the night of Thursday, July 25, 2024. Police say Garner was watching a movie with his girlfriend, her daughter, and her 17-year-old son, William Burgess, when a verbal argument broke out. Burgess reportedly left the room, returned, and shot Garner once in the head. Emergency personnel pronounced Garner dead at the scene that night.

Columbus police arrested Burgess, identified as Garner’s stepson, and charged him with murder, family violence, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. An officer testified Burgess spontaneously said he meant to shoot the television and that Garner had got in the way. Burgess waived a preliminary hearing on August 1, 2024, was ordered held without bond and given a court-ordered mental health evaluation. The investigation continues.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Sgt. Michael Dahnke at 706-225-4929; callers can remain anonymous.