4 charged in homicide that happened in March near Curtis Street

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Columbus Police Department announced on Thursday that four people were charged who are allegedly connected to a homicide that happened near Curtis Street.

Columbus PD says Stacey McDowell, 50, Michael Dowling, 35, Tyler Dowling, 31, and John Bryant, 53, have been charged with murder and aggravated assault. Michael Dowling was already in custody on separate charges.

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According to the police department, on March 29, officers responded to a home in the 1100 block of Curtis Street about an individual who had been assaulted.

The victim, 53-year-old Topher MacQuire, was conscious but complained about having chest pain. He was eventually transported by EMS to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where he later died.

An autopsy report revealed that an assault led to MacQuire’s death. Police say the assault happened on Beacon Avenue, only a few blocks away from where he was found.

All four individuals made their initial court appearances on Wednesday and their cases were bound over to superior court, while the investigation remains ongoing.