COLUMBUS, GA — In the quiet early hours of Monday, June 2, 2025, tragedy struck the Columbus community with the fatal shooting of a man outside the American Legion on Cusseta Road. The incident unfolded just after 1:30 a.m., sending shockwaves through the neighborhood and igniting fresh concerns over rising gun violence in the region.
According to the Columbus Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 4000 block of Cusseta Road at approximately 1:36 a.m. following several 911 calls reporting gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man—later identified as 37-year-old Berry Benton—lying in the parking lot outside the American Legion post, suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
Emergency medical services quickly transported Benton to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:14 a.m. Despite the efforts of first responders, his injuries proved fatal, marking another life lost to senseless violence.
The Columbus Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit immediately launched an investigation into the shooting. Detectives worked through the early morning hours to collect evidence from the scene, review surveillance footage, and speak with potential witnesses who may have been present in or around the American Legion building prior to or during the incident.
By Monday afternoon, authorities confirmed that a suspect had been apprehended. Nathaniel Gordon, Jr., age 44, was arrested by the department’s Fugitive Unit. Gordon has since been charged with murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
While investigators have not released a motive or further details about the relationship—if any—between the suspect and the victim, officials emphasized that the case remains active and that additional information may be forthcoming. The department has asked the public for any assistance and urges anyone with knowledge of the events leading up to the shooting to come forward.
Corporal Jared Berger, who is spearheading the investigation, has requested that anyone with information reach out directly at 706-225-4325 or via email at [email protected]. All tips can be given anonymously and will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
For many in Columbus, the incident is a sobering reminder of the persistent threat of gun violence. The American Legion—traditionally a space of community, remembrance, and support for veterans—was instead the backdrop of a violent crime that claimed a life and shattered a sense of safety in the neighborhood.
Local residents have begun calling for increased security measures, especially around public gathering places that operate into the early morning hours. Community leaders are also renewing their push for violence prevention initiatives, including conflict resolution programs and greater mental health support.
As Columbus mourns the loss of Berry Benton, friends and family are remembering him as a kind-hearted individual who was taken far too soon. A vigil is being planned at the site of the shooting to honor his memory and bring together a grieving community in the wake of another heartbreaking loss.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and further updates are expected from law enforcement in the coming days.
