Over the weekend, tragedy unfolded at Columbus State University as police fatally shot 20-year-old Zikarious Jaquan Flint in response to a report of someone with a gun. However, conflicting narratives have emerged, with Flint’s family asserting that he was unarmed and merely a visitor on campus. This incident has sparked outrage and demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Flint’s death.
Zikarious Jaquan Flint met his untimely end on Sunday after sustaining two gunshot wounds during an encounter with university police. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan confirmed Flint’s death, revealing that he was not a student at the university. The incident occurred near campus apartments, about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta.
According to University Police Chief Rus Drew, officers responded promptly to a call at 2:35 p.m. on Sunday, arriving within three minutes. The officers began pursuing Flint on foot near campus apartments. Drew reported, “There was a short foot chase, and at some point, the suspect turned and faced the officers, and shots were fired.”
Stacey Jackson, the lawyer and spokesman hired by Flint’s family, has provided a different account of the incident. Jackson stated that he spoke to three witnesses who were present during the shooting. According to them, Flint did not have a weapon in his hand when he was shot, and they believe he was shot from behind.
Jackson further clarified that Flint, who was not a student at Columbus State University, had accompanied three friends to visit two other friends who were students on campus. The grieving family is grappling with the loss and is anxiously awaiting the results of the autopsy scheduled for Monday afternoon, hoping for clarity on how the two bullets entered and exited Flint’s body.
In response to the controversial incident, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has taken charge of the investigation, a customary procedure in cases of police-involved shootings. While university officials have not provided additional details, they have expressed full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
CSU President Tim Mescon acknowledged the tragedy, stating, “This is a terrible tragedy. We’ll cooperate fully with the investigation… Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved in this as well as their families.” The university has also announced the availability of counselors to assist students who may be affected by the incident.
The incident has sparked outrage among the community, raising questions about the use of force by law enforcement and the circumstances under which deadly force is deemed necessary. Calls for transparency and accountability have intensified as the community demands a thorough and unbiased investigation into the events leading to Flint’s death.
Flint’s family is devastated, and their lawyer, Stacey Jackson, emphasized the need for a comprehensive and impartial inquiry. He stated, “All three witnesses were consistent in the fact that when Mr. Flint was shot, he did not have a weapon in his hand, and, from what they witnessed, he was shot from behind.”
As the investigation unfolds, the tragic incident at Columbus State University raises pressing concerns about the use of force by law enforcement, especially in situations involving unarmed individuals. The conflicting narratives surrounding Zikarious Jaquan Flint’s death underscore the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation to provide clarity and ensure justice for all parties involved. The community, along with Flint’s grieving family, awaits the findings of the autopsy and the outcome of the GBI investigation, hoping for accountability and systemic improvements to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
