Man Charged With Murder in Deadly American Legion Shooting

A man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a fatal shooting outside the American Legion on Cusseta Road early Sunday morning, Columbus police said.

Officers responded around 1:36 a.m. on June 2 to reports of a shooting in the 4000 block of Cusseta Road. Upon arrival, they found 37-year-old Berry Benton in the parking lot with a gunshot wound, according to a statement from the Columbus Police Department.

Benton was transported by EMS to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:14 a.m. by an emergency room doctor.

The department’s Violent Crimes Unit launched an investigation and later arrested 44-year-old Nathaniel Gordon Jr. Gordon faces charges of murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is scheduled to appear in Recorder’s Court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, June 4, at 1:30 p.m.

News of the incident has shaken the local community.

"It's heartbreaking," said Diane Ramsey, a Cusseta Road resident. "You don’t expect this kind of violence outside a place like the American Legion. It’s supposed to be a place for veterans and community—not crime scenes."

Andre Mitchell, who lives just a few blocks from the site of the shooting, said he's grown increasingly concerned about safety in the area. "I’ve lived here for a few years, and it feels like things have gotten worse recently. We need more patrols and community outreach to stop this cycle."

Others emphasized the need for unity and healing. “I didn’t know Mr. Benton personally,” said local resident Tasha Elmore. “But he was somebody’s son, somebody’s friend. We’ve got to do better as a city.”

“Anyone with information is urged to contact Cpl. Jared Berger at 706-225-4325 or berger.jared@columbusga.org,” the department said in its release, noting that tips may be submitted anonymously.