COLUMBUS — A brazen daylight shooting at the Columbus Animal Clinic left one injured and one tased and in police custody on July 10, at approximately 5:04 p.m., when officers were called to the 900 block of Walnut Street in Columbus about a reported shooting.
Columbus Police Chief Chris Mayfield issued a press release that stated, “On Friday, July 10, 2026, at approximately 5:04 p.m., officers with the Columbus Police Department were dispatched to the 900 block of Walnut Street in reference to a reported shooting. Dispatch advised that a caller had witnessed one person shoot another.
Officers arrived within minutes and located the suspect. With the assistance of the Colorado County Sheriff's Office, the suspect was safely taken into custody. During the arrest, deputies with the Colorado County Sheriff's Office deployed a TASER to gain control of the suspect. The suspect resisted arrest but was ultimately restrained, disarmed, and taken into custody without further incident.
T he suspect has been identified as Robert Jerome Axel, 50, of Columbus, Texas.
Prior to the arrival of EMS, first responders and bystanders immediately rendered medical aid to the victim, who had sustained a gunshot wound. Colorado County EMS then assumed patient care and transported the victim for further medical treatment. At the time of this release. the victim remains in stable condition.
During the incident, a nearby business owner witnessed the suspect's actions and, in an effort to stop the ongoing threat, discharged a firearm at the suspect. The nearby business owner's actions stopped the suspect from advancing farther into the targeted occupied business, preventing the suspect from reaching additional occupants inside. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Robert Jerome Axel was transported to the Colorado County Jail, where he was booked on four counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
The Columbus Police Department was assisted by the Colorado County Sheriff's Office, Colorado County EMS, the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The Columbus Police Department would like to recognize the professionalism and teamwork demonstrated by the responding officers, deputies, firefighters, EMS personnel, and citizens who rendered aid during this incident.
This investigation remains active. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Columbus Police Department at 979-732-3351.
All persons arrested or charged with a criminal offense are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”
During the targeted shooting by Axel, Dr. Austin Sherman, of Columbus, drew his own weapon and held off the gunman until law enforcement arrived and kept the suspect from inflicting more casualties. The officers on the scene confronted the suspect, tased him and took him into custody. Officers used only the force necessary to overcome the threat and disarmed Axel.
A factual motive for the shooting by Axel has not been released to the press as of press time.
The injured employee of the Columbus Animal Clinic is Alex, a vet tech whose full name has not been released as of press time. He is reportedly in stable condition and was also instrumental in thwarting the gunman from further violence.
The incident was captured on camera by Brittany Laurentz of Columbus as the scene unfolded during Axel's apprehension.
