Florida man pleads guilty to deadly downtown Columbia shooting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Florida man pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to killing a Stephens College student and injuring two others in downtown Columbia last year.

Misael Covarrubias admitted to second-degree murder in the shooting that killed Aiyanna Williams on East Broadway in September 2025. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful use of a weapon.

Covarrubias entered what is called an "open plea," meaning that instead of the prosecution and defense agreeing on a plea deal, he will be sentenced by a judge.

Judge Stephanie Morrell will sentence Covarrubias at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22.

Former Cole County Prosecutor Bill Tackett said the judge will take multiple factors into account when giving her sentence.

"So the judge is going to consider the history of the defendant, the priors, how many times they've had contact with law enforcement, the heinousness of the crime. OK. The intent. There are a variety of things that go into this," Tackett said.

During Covarrubias' sentencing, both the defense and the prosecution will present their cases, likely calling witnesses to the stand and showing evidence.

"Mitigating factors from the defense and aggravating factors, of which there are many in this case, from the prosecution," Tackett said.

Tackett said in most cases when a defendant pleads guilty, the defense and the prosecution agree on a plea deal. But cases like this one can happen when they either can't agree or if the prosecution did not offer them a plea deal in the first place.

Columbia police said Covarrubias fired nearly a dozen times in the early morning hours of Sept. 27, 2025. Covarrubias allegedly claimed he tried firing warning shots when a group ganged up on him. Officers said they found shell casings scattered on Broadway between Eighth and Ninth streets. A witness allegedly told police they told Covarrubias to stop grabbing a woman prior to the shooting, which led to Covarrubias pushing him, grabbing a gun he had and firing.

Friends and family described Williams, a Stephens College nursing student and Battle High School graduate, as a kind person dedicated to her faith. The shooting sparked debate about downtown safety between University of Missouri and city of Columbia leaders.