The news came this week that the second defendant charged in a very scary 2023 drive-by shooting at Lincoln Park has agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges in his case, if prosecutors drop an attempted murder charge.
This means Edmarius Oats, accused as the gunman, who was 18 at the time he was charged two years ago, is pleading guilty to four counts of Level 3 felony aggravated battery when the assault poses a substantial risk of death, instead of the Level 1 felony of attempted murder.
The difference in those charges is a Level 1 felony conviction carries the most serious sentence you can receive in Indiana other than for murder, a penalty of 20 to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A Level 3 felony in Indiana carries a possible prison sentence of 3 to 16 years and a fine of up to $10,000, with an advisory sentence of nine years.
The driver of the car that Oats is accused of shooting from at Lincoln Park, Alexander Parker, who was also 18 at the time he was charged, has also entered into a plea bargain, agreeing to plead guilty to one Level 5 felony of assisting a criminal in exchange for the prosecution dismissing four Level 3 felonies of aggravated battery against him, according to court records.
Police identified the victims as then-18-year-old Gavin Hardin, then-23-year-old Tyler Hamm and two juveniles, then ages 16 and 17. Three of the four were flown by Lifeline helicopter to Indianapolis hospitals, and all survived.
But there was shock and consternation back in 2023 at the very idea of a drive-by shooting happening in one of Columbus’ parks, while a softball game was going on nearby. The victims were at a basketball court in the park when the shooting occurred, according to court records.
Two years ago, then-Police Chief Michael Richardson stood talking to detectives in the park in street clothes, while Bartholomew County Prosecutor Lindsey Holden-Kay stood near the yellow police tape roped off area where officers searched for shell casings across the park grounds.
Investigators weren’t willing to talk about it immediately after it happened, but later acknowledged it was a drive-by shooting in the early evening hours, when the park and nearby Hamilton Center were packed with families and youngsters.
The aftermath of this incident could have been much, much, much worse.
And it ushered in a new wariness from the community about how unsafe public places in Columbus might be going forward.
Thankfully, much of that initial shock and fear has worn off and some have even forgotten that Columbus had a drive-by shooting just two years ago.
But as the sentencing hearings approach for these two individuals, there needs to be a message sent that this behavior will not be tolerated or treated lightly.
Investigators later learned and placed in the probable cause affidavit that the entire incident was Oats being jealous of Hardin regarding a girl, which led to the shooting.
This incident was three then-18-year-olds having a moment over a girl — and using a gun to solve it.
When Oats is sentenced on Aug. 20, and Parker is sentenced on Sept. 10, the message needs to be sent that this type of behavior will result in time behind bars — a lengthy time behind bars, for the safety and peace of mind of the community.
