Man sees murder charge upgraded to first-degree after grand jury indictment

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was charged with murder in a northeast Columbia shooting that occurred earlier this year was indicted by a grand jury on Friday.

James Caldwell Jr., 24, was charged with first-degree-murder, three counts of armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree assault. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An arraignment for the charges is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23.

Caldwell was originally charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree assault,

Previous reporting shows three people were shot or stabbed Jan. 4  at The Greens apartment complex in the 4800 block of Clark Lane. Brianna Hawkins, 21, of Fulton, died at a nearby hospital after being shot, reporting shows.

One victim was shot in the mouth and Hawkins was found by police with multiple gunshot wounds, court documents in previous reporting say. Police saw Caldwell standing over a third victim in an apartment, previous reporting shows. One victim had a gunshot injury and stab wounds.

Caldwell was identified by two of the victims, court documents say. One of the victims wrote Caldwell’s name on a piece of paper, the statement says.