A convicted felon from Columbia charged with killing an 18-year-old teenager Sunday evening near East Broadway and Old 63 has made his initial court appearance.
Boone County prosecutors have charged 34-year-old Steven Paden with second degree murder and robbery for Sunday night’s killing of 18-year-old Zarian Simpson, who was shot in the head, according to court documents. Paden made his initial appearance in Boone County Circuit Court on Wednesday via video, and he remains jailed without bond. Paden and three juveniles have been arrested for Simpson’s murder. Paden and two of the juveniles were captured in mid-Missouri’s Glasgow, following a manhunt.
Our news partner ABC-17 quotes Missouri State Highway Patrol statistics that show Columbia has had 133 gun-related crimes this year. ABC-17 reports those ages 10-17 were the largest age group of those arrested for violent crime in Columbia.
Paden’s next court appearance is set for Thursday June 26.
