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Blanton Street resident shot 4 times; suspect still unknown

COLUMBUS—A Columbus man was shot multiple times in his back yard in Columbus Monday night. 

Columbus Police Chief Scott Hamby said the shooting occurred at 263 Blanton Street. 

A Columbus officer was dispatched to a shooting at 8:29 p.m. and found Phillip Alfred Ward, 34, shot multiple times. Hamby said Ward’s girlfriend, Ashley Carter, 33, was inside the residence at the time of the shooting and was not injured. 

Polk County EMS transported Ward to St. Luke’s Hospital and he was then transported to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center to undergo surgery, according to Hamby. 

Hamby said Ward’s injuries include at least 4 gunshot wounds, including one to the neck, one to the chest and one in each leg. 

“As a result of the gunshot wounds, Mr. Ward suffered a shattered femur and shattered jaw bone as well as a severe injury to his tongue,” Hamby said early Tuesday morning. 

Hamby said he went to interview Ward Monday night, but as a result of his injuries Ward was unable to communicate. Hamby said he planned to return to the hospital on Tuesday to see if Ward could provide any information. 

The investigation is still ongoing with no named suspects. Hamby said the only suspect information as of Tuesday morning was that a neighbor saw a white car leaving the driveway following the shooting, which headed south on Blanton Street. 

Follow tryondailybulletin.com for updates on the shooting.