Attempted murder charge filed in Lincoln Park shooting investigation

Formal charges have been filed against two 18-year-olds in the drive by shootings last week at Lincoln Park in Columbus.

According to Prosecutor Lindsey Holden-Kay, Edmarius Oats of Columbus is being charged with attempted murder and three counts of aggravated battery. Alexander Parker of Columbus is facing charges of assisting a criminal and four counts of aiding, inducing or causing aggravated battery.

Four people were shot in the incident which started at about 7:44 p.m. the night of Tuesday, May 23rd.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Oats had been in a dispute with one of the victims, 18-year-old Gavin Hardin, over a girl they had both previously dated. Hardin was at the basketball court with the other victims, including 23-year-old Tyler Hamm and a 17-year old and 16-year old.

Oats is accused of making threats against Hardin using a social media call, saying that he would come to the court to shoot him. According to witnesses, shorty afterwards, a car driven by Parker passed by, then returned in the opposite direction and Oats was seen firing shots from the back seat, hitting the victims.

Parker was found driving the vehicle on his way to Franklin and was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed three spent shell casings from a 9 mm pistol. Police say that Parker refused to identify the person who was in the vehicle with him.

A witness reported that Oats was dropped off at his home on Old Field Lane after the shooting.  The Columbus and Bartholomew County SWAT Team was called to the scene and negotiators contacted Oats on his cell phone. He surrendered to the SWAT team.

During an interview, he denied being involved and said that he had never spoken with or communicated with Hardin. Before his arrest, a search of Oats’ social media showed photos of him displaying firearms and cash, but Oats said the weapons were not his.