Demarcus Gardner

Demarcus Gardner, known to friends and family by nicknames including "TankG," "Gambino," and "Bino," was remembered as an uplifting, funny, and loving person with a "heart of gold." A graduate of Spencer High School in Columbus, Georgia, the 24-year-old Black man worked at Refresco. Those who loved him described him as goofy, a "real one," and someone whose absence would leave a profound void. His sudden death in the summer of 2021 cut short a life cherished by many.

The evening of Sunday, June 20, 2021, was a violent one in south Columbus. Residents heard the familiar and dreaded sounds of gunfire, a recurring issue in the neighborhood. The Columbus Police Department received a call about a shooting on Winston Road. When officers arrived, they discovered Demarcus Gardner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Piedmont Columbus Regional hospital, but his injuries were too severe. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan pronounced him dead at 10:53 p.m.

That same night, the violence was not isolated to one street. Within a few hours and in close proximity, two other shootings occurred, leaving one person injured at the Arbor Pointe Apartments and another on Blan Street in the Oakland Park neighborhood. While police investigated, they did not publicly state whether the three incidents were related. The string of shootings heightened the sense of fear among residents who felt trapped by the constant threat of violence. "Just shooting! Boom boom boom!" one resident, Charles Duncan, told a reporter. "It don’t make no sense, it really don’t make no sense. I don’t know what’s wrong with these people, man."

Another neighbor, Angelia Williams-Dixon, expressed her concern about the danger of being caught in the crossfire. "I’m from this neighborhood, I could be doing something, or my kids could come by and something could happen to them," she said. "Sometimes, people come from other neighborhoods and bring it back here." The community was left shaken and searching for answers as another young life was lost.

The Columbus Police Department began an investigation into Demarcus Gardner's homicide. The Muscogee County Coroner's Office scheduled an autopsy to be performed. In the immediate aftermath, authorities did not release any information about a potential motive or any persons of interest. They appealed to the public for help, asking anyone with information about the shooting on Winston Road to come forward and contact the police.

In the years since Demarcus's death, friends and family have continued to post messages of love and remembrance on a memorial website. They light virtual candles and share memories, marking his birthdays and holidays with heartfelt tributes. "We’ll NEVER forget you," one message reads. Another says, "It ain’t the same nomo w/o you here with us." These notes paint a picture of a young man deeply missed by his community.

As of the latest available information, no arrests have been announced in the killing of Demarcus Gardner, and his case remains unsolved. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the Columbus Police Department.