Suspect says punch preceded deadly shooting near Columbia nightclub

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The man accused in a deadly shooting outside a Columbia nightclub says he was punched, leading him to fire the fatal shot early Sunday.

Curtis Allen Lewis, 36, is charged with voluntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action.

According to a probable cause statement, officers heard gunshots at Vibez nightclub early Sunday, where Lewis told officers "he was the shooter and handed them a loaded handgun."

Police said Lewis uttered something similar to "there were no other shooters" while he was in custody. He also told officers he was punched before the shooting and had swelling to his face at the time.

Police found five shell casings at the scene, according to the statement.

According to a news release, Tershawn E. Kitchen, 34, of Columbia, was shot and killed. A 30-year-old woman also suffered serious gunshot wounds.

Kitchen was a security guard at the nightclub. Club employees called Kitchen a hard-working family man.

Tim Callahan was a friend of Kitchen's. Occasionally, they worked security together. Callahan was asked to help with security the day of the shooting.

"One, I may not have gotten to go home to my daughters either that night," Callahan said. "Or two, the thing that beats me up the most is I conceal carry usually. Maybe I could have helped him."

Friends said Kitchen had three daughters.

One man, who did not want to be named, was working security with Kitchen and said he witnessed everything that happened. He said it started with an argument as people were exiting the nightclub. The security guard said Kitchen was trying to break up the fight and help the person who was hit.

Lewis remained in the Boone County Jail on Monday on a $500,000 cash-only bond. No attorney was listed for Lewis in online court records.

Lewis was arraigned Monday afternoon. He told the judge he did not yet have an attorney.