Oats
A Columbus man accused of shooting four people in Lincoln Park on May 23, 2023, is scheduled to appear in court today.
Edmarius Malik Oats, 20, is charged with attempted murder as a Level 1 felony and four counts of aggravated battery, all Level 3 felonies.
If found guilty of all charges, Oats could receive up to 104 years in prison, as well as fines of up to $50,000. Nobody was killed during the shootings.
The Old Field Lane resident is scheduled for either a change of plea hearing or a pre-trial conference before Bartholomew Superior 1 Judge James Worton at 9 a.m.
Late last spring, court-appointed defense attorney Greg Long said he is preparing to take his client’s case to a jury. The trial date is set for 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 28.
Investigators say there was an ongoing conflict between Oats and one of the four victims, Gavin Hardin, over a girl they had both dated.
Besides Hardin, the shooter wounded Tyler Hamm and two juveniles, ages 16 and 17 at the time of the shootings. Hardin identified Oats as the man who pulled the trigger.
A half hour before the shootings, Hardin got a message through a mutual acquaintance that Oats was planning to shoot him, according to a probable cause affidavit.
At about 7:44 p.m., a car driven by Alexander Parker pulled up next to the court, according to court affidavits. Oats, who was in the back seat, allegedly rolled the window down and fired several shots in the crowd, investigators said.
Four people were shot before Parker and Oats fled the scene at a high rate of speed, according to the affidavit.
On Oct. 5, 2023, Parker entered into a plea agreement with the prosecution. However, Worton ordered that the agreement remain sealed until he decides to make it public record.
