Suspect linked to deadly Columbia robbery arrested

Police have arrested Darrius Edwards for murder in connection with a robbery that turned deadly in April.

According to investigators, Edwards and two other people tried to rob an apartment on West Texas Avenue on April 22. One of the people living there shot at the invaders, hitting two of them. Derrick Brookins died from his injuries, and Edwards was taken to a hospital. Officials haven’t said when Edwards left the hospital, but he was arrested and booked into the Boone County jail Wednesday night.

Two other people have been charged in connection to the robbery. Deshai Richardson, 23, and She’aun Prince, 22, have also been arrested and charged for second degree murder. They and Edwards are charged with murder because Brookins died during the commission of a crime.

Family of the suspected shooter said the incident happened in self-defense. 28-year-old Reggie Bentley lives in the apartments on the street, and family members told ABC 17 News he was jumped in his doorway Tuesday afternoon by three people.

In the struggle that followed, they said Bentley shot two men. Family said Bentley did not know who he shot or where he shot them, but took the opportunity to run across the street. Neighbors also reported a man running through their yards just before 2 p.m. Police were searching for a green Chevy Impala carrying one to three possible suspects.

According to emergency scanner traffic, a person with a gunshot wound also walked into MU Women’s and Children’s Hospital shortly after the shooting. ABC 17’s Jillian Fertig saw two police cars in the hospital parking lot around 2:45 p.m. Officers returned to their vehicles carrying evidence.

The family of Bentley spent Wednesday afternoon cleaning out his apartment and getting ready to move, and crime tape has been removed.

Stay with ABC 17 News for the latest on this developing story.