Man purchases gun at Academy then shoots self in parking lot

Tragedy struck outside the Academy Sports shop in Columbus Wednesday afternoon. A man walked into the popular sports retailer at 6700 Whittlesey Boulevard where he purchased a gun and then turned the weapon on himself in the parking lot of the store.

Police secured the scene investigating the incident for hours as horrified onlookers passed by the busy Columbus Park Crossing area.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the man was pronounced dead at the Piedmont Midtown emergency room at 1:09 pm May 20, 2026. He was 77 years old. Bryan said his body will be sent to the GBI crime lab for an autopsy.