Victims, suspect identified in Randolph Co. shooting
Randolph County authorities Monday identified three people killed in a shooting Saturday morning.
Authorities are calling the shooting a double murder-suicide.
Investigators said Alexander Hewgley, 17, shot two sisters Kelsey Bowen, 16, and Jessica Bowen, 22.
Hewgley was apparently in a previous relationship with 16-year-old Kelsey.
It happened around 6:30 a.m. at a home on County Road 2250, according to the sheriff’s department.
Deputies found three people on scene with gunshot wounds. One sister was confirmed dead on the scene and another was taken to Moberly Regional Medical Center by ambulance, but died at the hospital shortly after.
Hewgley had a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was determined the suspect of the shooting, according to the sheriff’s department. Emergency crews took Hewgley to a hospital in Columbia and died shortly after.
Autopsies were completed Monday in Columbia.
Deputies responded to the same home a few days before the shooting for a verbal disturbance between Hewgley and one of the victims, according to Sheriff Mark Nichols.
Other people were at the home at the time of the shooting and a family member called 911, Nichols said.
Kelsey Bowen attended high school in Moberly.
“There are no words to adequately describe what we are feeling,” Superintendent Gena McCluskey said. “The loss of a student is never easy.”
Counselors will be available for students and staff Monday and Tuesday, McCluskey said.
And in Columbia, a group of students held a private vigil inside the Columbia Area Career Center. Jessica Bowen was a nursing student in the program. Columbia Public Schools is also providing additional counselors this week, according to Michelle Baumstark with CPS.
A visitation will be held Friday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Moberly High School, according to McCluskey. Funeral services will be held at the school 10:00 Saturday morning.
