5:40 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - An autistic man has returned home after his disappearance Monday triggered a Silver Alert by the state.

Christopher Reed, 25, was spotted in the backyard of his home on 19th Street South at 5:20 p.m., according to police spokesman Joe Dillion.

Police say on social media Reed was unharmed and fine.

Original story:

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - Columbus police now say the possible sighting of a missing man was a false alarm.

On Tuesday, Columbus police investigated a report that Christopher Reed, 25, might have been seen in the Columbus Walmart at 1:15 a.m. Tuesday morning. 

Wednesday afternoon, Columbus police confirmed the sighting was a false alarm.

"Detectives have determined that he was not captured on video at the Columbus store and the sighting was not him," police stated.

Police are asking the public to continue to be diligent about being on the lookout for Reed and call 911 with any possible sightings.

Reed has been missing since Monday. He was last seen inside his home on 19th Street at 8:30 a.m.

Police, along with volunteers, have been out searching for him.

He was last seen wearing black sweatpants, light gray pullover and white tennis shoes.

Reed stands 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds.