MO State HS Sports
Aaron Harris (left) and Javion Lawhorn

Two warrants announced during Columbia gun violence presser

Columbia’s mayor and police chief held a press conference on gun violence hours before the deadly shooting near McBaine Avenue and Duncan Street on Wednesday night.

Police chief Geoff Jones announced two new warrants over the killings hours apart late on Sept. 13 and early on Sept. 14.

Javion Lawhorn, 30, is accused of second degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and armed criminal action in the death of 18-year-old Nadria Wright. Aaron Harris is accused of second degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon tied to the death of 19-year-old E’quan Spain.

Court documents say Harris, 26, was driving a car with Spain and Michael Anderson III in the backseat near Fifth Street and Park Avenue early on Sept. 14. They all allegedly shot at another car. Anderson is accused of shooting Spain in the head while trying to shoot through Spain’s window. Anderson is in custody.

Jones says people with information owe it to the victims’ families to talk with authorities.

“I don’t know how else to say this. If you know something, please say something. If you know someone who may know something about these homicides, please encourage them to say something. Someone knows who committed these murders.”

Mayor Brian Treece said the recent gun violence is a public health crisis.

“I feel like there is a hurricane of violence hovering over our community right now, with one side shooting at the other side, and someone fills those shoes and starts shooting back at the other side,” Treece said.

Jones said (before James Hickem was shot and killed) that CPD at least had warrants out for all but two of this year’s killings. CPD has not released suspect info yet in connection with the killings of Antonio Houston and Danielle Marine on McKee Street early Sunday.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *