A Columbus man allegedly opened fire during a visitation drop-off at the Columbus Inn & Suites on Friday afternoon, according to Columbus Police Department Public Information Officer Johannah Owusu.
Devin Rice, 27, of Columbus, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in connection with the incident, Owusu said.
Columbus Police Department officers responded to the hotel at 506 US-45 at about 1 p.m. During a custody exchange between a child’s mother and biological father, the mother’s boyfriend got into a verbal altercation with the father. Rice, the boyfriend, allegedly pulled out a gun, opened fire and then fled the scene, Owusu said.
Rice was arrested by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office near the Love’s Truck Stop on Tuscaloosa Road directly following the altercation, Owusu said.
Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said an LCSO deputy stopped Rice based on a description of his car provided by the Columbus Police Department. Rice is now being held at the Lowndes County Jail.
No injuries or property damage were reported, a CPD press release said.
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