Suspect in shooting near Columbus Fourth of July parade route arrested in Madison

COLUMBUS, Wis. -- Columbus police on Thursday arrested a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred early in the morning near the city's Fourth of July parade route.

Columbus Police Chief Dennis Weiner said a 40-year-old man was found with gunshot wounds just after 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of Ludington Street and James Street. He was taken to Prairie Ridge Health and later died.

In an update, Weiner said officers were able to review video camera footage and identified a suspect. That suspect was taken into custody at around 2 p.m. in Madison. A Madison Police Department spokesperson said officers along with the MPD SWAT Team safely detained the suspect at a hotel at 2139 East Springs Drive.

Weiner said a gun believed to have been used in the shooting was found on a path that the suspect used to flee the scene. The suspect is believed to have acted alone and there is no further damage to the public.

More details are expected to be shared during a press conference on Friday at 10 a.m.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE — Columbus Police are investigating the shooting death of a 40-year-old man in downtown Columbus at Ludington Street and James Street, according to Columbus Police Chief Dennis Weiner.

Police were at 1:30 a.m. to what they thought was a fireworks call in the downtown area. The victim was located and rushed a local where he passed way, Weiner said. It is being investigated as a homicide.

The suspect is believed to be a white or Hispanic male in his early 20s.

The shooting occurred near the planned parade route for today. The parade will detour down East Mill, south to Water Street, and then to the fire station, according a post on the Columbus 4th of July Festival Facebook page. If changes happen to the parade, updates will be given on the Facebook page.

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