Columbus man sentenced 38 years in prison for drive-by shooting

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A Columbus man has been sentenced to 38 years in prison for his role in a drive-by shooting that injured four people on May 29, 2023.

Edmarius Oats, who was 18 years old at the time of the shooting, was charged with attempted murder and four counts of attempted battery.

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message: reckless acts of violence will not be tolerated in our
community,” Bartholomew County Prosecutor Lidsey Holden-Kay wrote in a press release.

Two adults and two juveniles were originally injured in the shooting. Witnesses described a vehicle leaving the scene to Bartholomew County law enforcement. That description was later relayed to Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies, who spotted a car matching the description and initiated a traffic stop.

Alexander Parker — who was also an 18-year-old at the time of the incident — was taken into custody. Following an investigation, police learned that Oats was also involved. He was arrested early the next morning.

According to court documents, Parker was the driver and Oats was the shooter.

Parker was charged with four counts of aiding, inducing or causing aggravated battery and one count of assisting a criminal.

The shooting reportedly took place because Oats and one of the victims had a disagreement over a girl. During a phone call, Oats said he would shoot one of the victims. About 30 minutes after the conversation happened, Oats showed up at a park the victim was at and opened fire from a vehicle.

“This was not a momentary lapse in judgment — it was a calculated and cowardly attack fueled by anger and ego,” Holden-Kay said. “By removing him from our streets for decades, the court has ensured that our community is safer, and that the victims and their families can begin to heal knowing justice has been served.”

According to online court records, Parker has not been sentenced and his next appearance is scheduled for Sept 10.