Columbus Man Fatally Shot Outside American Legion; Suspect Arrested

A man is dead and another is in custody following a fatal shooting outside the American Legion on Cusseta Road early Monday morning.

Columbus Police responded to the 4000 block of Cusseta Road at approximately 1:36 a.m. on June 2, 2025, where they discovered a male victim in the parking lot with a gunshot wound. The victim, identified as 37-year-old Berry Benton, was transported by EMS to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and was pronounced deceased at 2:14 a.m.

The Columbus Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation. Officers later arrested Nathaniel Gordon, Jr., 44, who now faces charges of Murder, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Cpl. Jared Berger at 706-225-4325 or via email at berger.jared@columbusga.org. Tips can be submitted anonymously.