Documents: Two people shot in Jefferson City homicide
Two people were hit by bullets Saturday in a Jefferson City shooting that killed one of them, according to court documents.
Marquis D. Avant, 22, of Jefferson City, was arrested and charged 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.
The probable cause statement in his case said a large party was taking place at the time of the shooting. Documents said several people at the scene estimated the party size to be about 100 to 150 people.
Documents said Avant stated he fired two shots into the air after the crowd began getting rowdy. Other gunshots rang out afterwards. Court documents said after the shots were fired, Robert Scott, 20, was found dead by police. Another person was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The probable cause statement said Avant left his house after shots were fired and threw his handgun into the bushes near the 200 block of East Ashley Street. Documents said police did not find the gun, but Avant admitted to having someone else get the gun so police would not find it.
According to the documents, police were able to search Avant’s room with a search warrant and dicvovered a box of 9 mm ammo and a live bullet. Documents said the bullet found in Avant’s room were the same type of bullet casings found on the front porch of the house.
Avant is currently a student at Lincoln University, according to a spokeswoman. He played football for the program during 2016 and 2017.
“Lincoln University is aware of an off-campus incident in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 13, that resulted in the arrest of one of our students,” said LU spokeswoman Misty Young.
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.
“We’re alleging that he committed a felony with the unlawful use of a weapon,” Thompson said. “Because of him committing that felony – or, we’re saying in the course of him committing that felony – somebody was killed.”
Avant was being held without bond.
“We want to remind our students to always walk in groups of two or more and to be aware of their surroundings whether on or off campus and to report any suspicious activity to the Lincoln University Police Department or local law enforcement,” Young said. “We also encourage students, faculty and staff to utilize RAVE Guardian as a mobile option for their security.”
Sign up for email news alerts by clicking here
