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Columbia police identify suspect in Gainwell killing

Columbia police have issued a warrant for Laron Nesbitt, 24, for the January killing of Deonte Gainwell, 20.

According to police, Nesbitt is currently an inmate of the Boone County Jail on unrelated charges. He’s wanted on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Gainwell was shot and killed on Weymeyer Drive on Jan. 17.

Police credited the assistance of community members in identifying Nesbitt as a suspect.

Gainwell was shot just two months after he killed Ahmonta Harris on Nov. 24. Prosecutors determined that the shooting was justified as self-defense because they said Harris had broken into Gainwell’s house and was attempting to rob him.

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