Columbia Spy

The following is excerpted from a 3/2/24 LNP/lancasteronline article by Gayle Johnson:

When: Columbia Borough Council meeting Feb. 27.

What happened: Columbia needs its residents to step forward with information to help the police department investigate several unsolved shooting incidents, police Chief Jack Brommer said.

Quotable: “I wanted to acknowledge the frustrations and concern about the violence we’re seeing on our streets right now,” Brommer said.

Shots fired: Officers are working on a report of shots fired Sunday, Feb. 25 in the 500 block of Avenue H at 7:59 p.m.

Details: This marks the fourth shooting incident in the borough during the first two months of 2024, Brommer confirmed in a Feb. 29 phone call. Police made an arrest in only one case, Brommer said, because witnesses refuse to cooperate with police. However, Brommer noted that citizens have offered tips and contributed video.

Reluctance: “We’re dealing with individuals who do not want to cooperate with the police department, and it’s unfortunate,” Brommer said during the meeting. “These investigations are top priority for us.”

More info: Sometimes witnesses or gunshot victims don’t want to talk because they are related to a suspect, the police chief said Feb. 29. Other times, witnesses or victims may stay silent because they are involved in the incident.

Heather Zink, council president, urged witnesses to talk to police officers. “This is a major concern for me,” she said during a Feb. 29 phone call about the shootings. “It’s going to keep escalating.”

The Lower Susquehanna Valley Modular Railroaders are back at the National Watch & Clock Museum for March 2024. The club has set up their display in the museum’s atrium after taking off a year.

There’s no admission charge for visitors who want to see the train setup only.

The display is available this week (Saturday,  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) and will be taken down next Saturday, March 9.

[Photos and videos provided by the National Watch  & Clock Museum]

Jason Shackleford

A Columbia man who raped and strangled to death his ex-girlfriend’s 12-year-old daughter and then raped and sexually assaulted her mother will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty Friday.

In exchange for his plea, Jason Shackelford avoided the possibility of a jury sentencing him to death, even though the state currently has a moratorium on it. 

During the hearing before Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright, Shackelford, 40, admitted raping Elaina Smith, strangling her, then placing her body in a freezer overnight Feb. 8-9, 2023.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-man-who-raped-killed-12-year-old-girl-gets-life-in-prison/article_bd935a2a-d7d5-11ee-b73b-d3d8d04e21ae.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Borinqueneer’s, 438 1/2 Locust St., Columbia, change of owner, Feb. 23. Pass. No violations.

The month of March was named for the Roman god of war, Mars, because in ancient times, it was the month in which military campaigns would typically resume after the winter break. Mars was revered as a powerful and fearsome deity who embodied the qualities of strength, courage, and aggression, making him a fitting choice to lend his name to the month associated with the return to battle. Additionally, March was also the first month of the Roman calendar, and it was believed that Mars had a strong influence on the start of the agricultural and military seasons.

Throughout history, March has been associated with several significant events. One notable date is the Ides of March, March 15th, which marks the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. This event was a turning point in Roman history and is still remembered to this day. Additionally, March is recognized as Women’s History Month in the United States, celebrating the pivotal roles women have played in shaping the world.

Notable dates during March include St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, an Irish cultural celebration in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Another significant event is the vernal equinox, which falls on March 20th or 21st and marks the official beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere.

https://lancasteronline.com/sports/highschool/boysbasketball/columbia-outlasts-trinity-for-second-district-3-class-3a-boys-basketball-championship-in-three-seasons/article_a9d2555a-d6b7-11ee-ac84-0b065aef8749.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

The meeting packet is  HERE.

Neil Robert Bushong and Donna B. Bushong conveyed property on Malleable Road to Neil Robert Bushong and Donna B. Bushong for $1.

Mabel Hinson conveyed property on Locust Street to Kevin Farlow for $632,000.

Mabel Hinson and Luis E. Torres Santiago conveyed property on Locust Street to Mabel Hinson for $1.

On 2/25/24 at approximately 7:59 p.m. Columbia Borough Police were dispatch to the 500 block of Ave. H for a report of shots fired. 

Responding officers arrived on scene at 8:01 p.m. to find the perpetrators had fled the area. Upon canvassing the scene, multiple cartridge casings were located. Officers also located private property damage due to bullet strikes. 

There are no known injuries due to the incident. Photos are persons of interest involved in the incident. 

 Anyone with information on the shooting incident or if you have video of the area, contact the Columbia Police at 717-684-7735. 

Incident #2402029104 Location 500 block of Ave. H Columbia, PA 17512 Date Issued Feb 25, 2024 @ 8:08 PM Incident Type Aggravated Assault Created Feb 25th, 2024 @ 11:29 PM

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/incidents/shots-fired-incident?fbclid=IwAR0C0oIs4vemzR0_M9wgl22B0JF0JWE0xGFsOOnufvaQudrRGZNErUfdJaA