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COLUMBUS — A Columbus man was arrested Friday after police said a shooting at a local business left one person hospitalized.
Robert Jerome Axel, 50, was booked into the Colorado County Jail on four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following the incident, which occurred around 5:04 p.m. July 10 at Columbus Animal Clinic, 923 Walnut St.
According to Columbus Police Department Lt. Jose Lara, officers and Colorado County Sheriff's Office deputies responded after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire.
Deputies used a TASER to take Axel into custody. During the incident, a nearby business owner also discharged a firearm at the suspect. Police said no law enforcement officers fired their weapons.
"The nearby business owner's actions stopped the suspect from advancing further into the targeted occupied business, preventing the suspect from reaching additional occupants inside," the Columbus Police Department said in a Friday night news release.
Colorado County EMS transported the victim to Columbus Community Hospital. As of 11 p.m. Friday, the victim was reported in stable condition, according to police.
Investigators remained at the scene for more than an hour collecting evidence, including multiple shell casings, at the animal clinic and the neighboring Crunch N' Crab food truck.
All persons arrested or charged with a criminal offense are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Colorado County Citizen will continue to follow this developing story.
