Charges filed in weekend Jefferson City homicide

A Jefferson City man is now charged with murder after a fatal shooting early Saturday.

Police said in a press release that Marquis D. Avant, 22, of Jefferson City was arrested over the weekend and admitted to firing a weapon during a disturbance Saturday morning in the 300 block of Hickory Street. According to the police, Avant admitted to concealing the weapon afterwards to avoid being found with the handgun.

Police found Robert Scott, 20, of Jefferson City, dead at the scene of the shooting Saturday.

Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson said Monday afternoon that Avant has been charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and tampering with evidence.

Avant was being held Monday without bond.

The release send Saturday about the homicide also said police chased a Ford Explorer that crashed into a concrete barrier before police arrested the driver. JCPD Lt. David Williams said the person arrested in the traffic stop was not Avant.

The homicide is the first of 2019 in Jefferson City.