Boone County prosecutors have filed second degree murder and other felony charges against a Columbia man relating to Wednesday afternoon’s shooting death of 20-year-old William Riechers of Columbia.
He was shot and killed near Allen and Bryant streets at about 3:45 pm. Murder charges have been filed against 19-year-old Damarius Kavanaugh. Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) spokeswoman Karen Pojmann tells 939 the Eagle that Kavanaugh was released from prison in February on probation after serving 120 days of shock time for tampering with a motor vehicle and for unlawful use of a weapon.
(March 5, 2026 mug shot courtesy of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department website)
CPD’s three-page probable cause statement indicates Kavanaugh and Riechers were walking in that area when a vehicle drove by and indicates there was a shootout between Kavanaugh and someone in the vehicle. It’s unknown who was in the vehicle. Riechers suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene.
CPD’s investigation continues: anyone with information should call Columbia Crimestoppers at (573) 875-TIPS. Your identity will be protected.
Kavanaugh’s probation could be revoked. Pojmann tells 939 the Eagle that Missouri’s Probation and Parole Board has issued a warrant. A separate court filing from Boone County prosecutors say Kavanaugh is a flight risk.