In the late-night hours of Thursday, April 2, 2026, a dispute at a gas station in Columbus, Georgia, turned fatal, claiming the life of 36-year-old Calvin Mitchell. A Black male, Mitchell was at the Liberty gas station located at the intersection of Victory Drive and Benning Drive when the incident occurred. Columbus Police officers were dispatched to the scene around 11:50 p.m. following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, they discovered Mitchell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services responded quickly and transported him to Piedmont Columbus Regional for treatment. Despite their efforts, Mitchell succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 12:26 a.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026. The investigation into the city's third homicide of the year began promptly, with crime scene investigators collecting evidence at the gas station, which was cordoned off with police tape.
The investigation, led by the Columbus Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit, quickly identified a suspect. Through their efforts, which included reviewing video surveillance and interviewing the victim's girlfriend, authorities identified 50-year-old Dwayne Quarles as the individual responsible for the shooting. A coordinated effort between the Violent Crimes Unit and the SWAT team led to Quarles's swift apprehension.
Following his arrest, Quarles was charged with Murder, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. During questioning, he admitted to shooting Mitchell, stating he was upset over a Cash App transaction in which he claimed money had been stolen from him. Quarles appeared in Recorder's Court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held without bond.
