In the early morning hours of September 3, 2025, a dispute between coworkers at the Aludyne-Columbus Foundry on Northside Industrial Boulevard in Columbus, Georgia, ended in tragedy. Lawrence Mitchell Perry, a 54-year-old man, was shot and fatally wounded following an altercation. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Lawrence, known affectionately as 'Mitch,' was a hardworking man employed at the foundry since March 2010.
Born on April 12, 1971, he was a loving father and grandfather who cherished spending time with his family and friends. A graduate of Central High School in 1989, he had been a track and football player in his youth.
The Columbus Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit launched an investigation into the shooting. Their efforts quickly led to the identification of a suspect: 32-year-old Walter Bethune, a coworker of Perry's. An arrest was made after Bethune was located in Smiths Station. He was subsequently booked into the Lee County jail, where he awaited extradition to Columbus to face a murder charge. The case remains under investigation.
