Police investigate Hulen Drive homicide of Rovon Blocker

20-year-old Rovon Blocker was found dead on Hulen Drive, Saturday night, and police are not releasing many details.

He graduated as a star lineman from Battle High two years ago.

ABC 17 has been asking police for a possible motive that led up to death of Blocker.

We do know a juvenile has been detained directly linked to the homicide. However, we do not know further information, as they are a minor.

But today, a few Facebook posts could lead viewers to believe gangs are in issue in Columbia.

We reached out to Glenn Cobbins, a Neighbor Outreach Specialist, if gangs could exist here.

“In my definition, no way. You go to places like L.A., Chicago, Detroit, and you got gangs there,” said Cobbins.

Cobbins said the real problem is poverty.

“And then the poverty leads to trying to make ends meet, but if I can’t get a job, what am I going to do? I’m going to start doing crime,” said Cobbins.

He said it all starts with lower level crime and then leads the major crime.

“Before the media, or the city, or the school system, or the people, or Facebook or whoever. Do the investigation,” said Cobbins.

He said it is important for people not to judge what may have happened in this case, but to wait for a thorough investigation.

Police have been called to the apartment complex three times in the last month, that’s according to police reports.

We checked with the property owner to see if they do background checks and the owner replied with, “somewhat, yes.”