In the late hours of a Sunday night, what was supposed to be a weekend of celebration turned into a scene of tragedy in Columbus, Mississippi. On February 13, 2022, a violent altercation outside of Legends Bar on 13th Avenue North claimed the life of 29-year-old Robert Andrew Roby. The night was filled with the energy of a large crowd, estimated to be around 200 people, when an argument escalated into gunfire around midnight.
When Columbus Police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered a chaotic situation with a large gathering of people and Roby lying in the street. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. Another individual was also wounded in the shooting but was later treated at a local hospital and released.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, investigators began to piece together the events that led to Roby's death. Their investigation was aided by video footage that had circulated on social media, which reportedly captured a fight involving three men that occurred just before the shooting erupted. This video became a crucial piece of evidence as authorities worked to identify the person responsible for firing the fatal shot.
The investigation led to the arrest of James Overstreet of Columbus, who was charged with aggravated assault in connection with the incident. While Overstreet was confirmed to have been in possession of a weapon, it was not immediately clear if he was the one who fired the shot that killed Roby. The police continued to investigate, with the possibility of more charges being filed as they reviewed evidence from the scene, including video footage. The Lowndes County Coroner's office confirmed that an autopsy would be performed at the state crime lab to determine the precise cause of death.
