A Georgia man was shot and killed outside a Columbus motel after stepping into a family argument to defend his fiancée, according to police and witnesses.
Jonathan Tennie, 34, was shot Wednesday, Sept. 16, outside a Motel 6 in the 3000 block of Victory Drive in Columbus. Officers were called to the scene around 4:54 p.m. and found Tennie suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where he later died.
Police arrested 24-year-old Tararus Toliver and charged him with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Some early reports spelled his first name differently, but Columbus police and WTVM identify him as Tararus Toliver.
Investigators have released few details about the confrontation, but Tennie’s fiancée told WTVM that the violence began with a verbal dispute involving Toliver, who she said was dating her sister.
According to her account, Tennie became involved after he objected to the way Toliver was speaking to the women.
“He doesn’t like women being disrespected in any kind of manner,” she told the station, explaining that Tennie would speak up if he believed someone was being treated badly.
She said she was able to calm Tennie down at one point, but the argument continued.
Then, she said, Toliver allegedly pulled out a gun and fired.
Police say surveillance video and two witnesses identified Toliver as the shooter. Investigators told the court that video captured an argument between Tennie and Toliver before the gun was drawn and fired.
Tennie’s fiancée said she believes he stepped in to protect her.
“He saved me,” she told WTVM. “I’m here because he’s not.”
She said the couple had already been struggling before the shooting, having recently lost their home and been forced to stay in hotels and sometimes sleep in their car.
According to her, Tennie had relatives he could have stayed with but chose to remain by her side so she would not have to face the difficult situation alone.
She also remembered him as a devoted family man who treated her relatives like his own.
Tennie was especially close with her nephews, she said, describing him as their favorite uncle.
Toliver appeared in court Friday and entered a not guilty plea to the charges. A judge sent the case to Superior Court and ordered him held without bond.
The Columbus Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit continues to investigate the shooting. Police have asked anyone with additional information to contact investigators.
