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UPDATE: Overnight double homicide details released by CPD

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police said Sunday that an early morning shooting in which five people were hit, leaving two dead and three injured, is a double homicide.

In the press conference Sunday afternoon Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones said the two victims who died were 11 year-old Ri’ajauhna, the last name was withheld per the family’s request, and 38 year-old Tara L. Knedler

Chief Jones said the medics at the scene did not enter.

"They did not believe it was stable enough to enter the scene so officers were giving trauma care at the scene and providing CPR," Jones said.

Watch the news conference below.

Around 12:15 a.m. Sunday police were sent to reports of shots fired near Volunteer Drive and North Grace Lane in east Columbia.

Police found multiple victims, some of which had serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital.

According to CPD officials, police arrested several suspects after the shooting.

"There were at least two people who fired guns," Chief Jones said. "We have one person in custody and have talked to the other suspects."

CPD has one person of interest currently detained, but CPD said this is an ongoing investigation and is being handled by the Criminal Investigation Division. 

An ABC 17 News reporter saw roughly 20 law enforcement vehicles on Volunteer Drive around 1:30 a.m.

This comes after police were called out to the Grace Lane area Thursday and discovered shell casings after a "fireworks war."

“There was a rumor that this was a fireworks war, but it was gunshots," Chief Jones said.

Amy Palmer, a local who spoke with ABC 17 News after the fireworks war, said crime has increased lately in the neighborhood.

Check back here or watch ABC 17 News this morning at 6 a.m. for updates.

Article Topic Follows: Crime

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Zach Boetto

Zach Boetto anchors the weekend morning and weekday 9 a.m. & noon newscasts for ABC 17. You can find up-to-the-minute information on Zach’s social media, @ABC17Zach on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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