Columbus Officers Indicted in 2024 Shooting on Manchester Expressway

A grand jury has indicted two Columbus police officers on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery in connection with a 2024 officer-involved shooting, the Columbus Police Department announced Tuesday night.

The indictment stems from a February 7, 2024, incident on Manchester Expressway, where officers Kenneth Rammage and Xavier Perez fired multiple shots at a vehicle driven by Jermaine Hernandez. Investigators reported that Hernandez had been traveling around 100 miles per hour through a construction zone when he was pulled over by police.

During the stop, officers fired at Hernandez’s vehicle after it backfired. A 2024 statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation indicated that the officers believed the noise was a gunshot. Hernandez, who was wounded in the hand, later stated that the noise was caused by his car “popping” after he accidentally revved the engine while attempting to clean his windshield.

Following the indictment, the Columbus Police Department issued a statement acknowledging the grand jury’s decision and confirming that an internal investigation will be conducted to determine whether department policies and procedures were followed.

Hernandez retained legal representation after the shooting. The officers remain under investigation as legal proceedings continue.