Crime

Columbia man accused of murder in central city shooting

today at 10:02 AM

Published March 5, 2026 9:57 AM

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 19-year-old felon has been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of a 20-year-old on Wednesday in central Columbia.

Damarius Kavanaugh, of Columbia, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, illegal gun possession and tampering with physical evidence after William Riechers of Columbia was found shot dead in the area of Allen and Bryant streets.

Kavanaugh just completed a 120-day prison program for unlawful use of a weapon and felony motor vehicle tampering, along with misdemeanor resisting arrest, last month.

Kavanaugh was in the Boone County Jail on Thursday morning with no bond. Charges were not publicly available in online court records.

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Matthew Sanders

Matthew Sanders is the digital content director at ABC 17 News.

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