Columbia police arrest man accused in child’s shooting death
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia police have arrested a man on Monday for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of a 3-year-old on Sunday, the Columbia Police Department said in a Monday evening press release.
Boone County's top prosecutor said earlier on Monday that his office has charged Larry Brownlee Jr. with second-degree murder and other violent felonies. Brownlee was arrested at 3:18 p.m. in Columbia, according to CPD's release. He is being held without bond in the Boone County Jail, according to jail records. A court date has not been announced.
Brownlee Jr., 28, of Columbia, has been charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and illegal gun possession by a felon, Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson wrote in an email.
Johnson did not elaborate on Brownlee's alleged role in the shooting.
The Columbia Police Department posted on Facebook that Brownlee was wanted on an arrest warrant for second-degree murder, armed criminal action and being a felon with a gun.
Police responded Sunday to the area of Leeway Drive and Blue Ridge Road just after 2 p.m. A child had been shot in the torso and two adults were rushing him to Columbia Fire Station No. 9 for help, according to a news release. Police then took the child to a local hospital, where he later died.
This is, unfortunately, not the first child shooting victim in Mid-Missouri this year.
ABC 17 News has previously reported a teenager was shot on Ballenger Lane in August, a 5-year-old shot on West Bellview Drive in April, and a 9-year-old girl shot on Demaret Drive in March.
Data from the national Gun Archive shows nationwide so far in 2023, 511 children have been injured due to gun violence and 223 have been killed.
Monday's charges against Brownlee are not his first run in with police.
Court documents show his most recent charge was for fourth-degree assault in January 2020. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in the Missouri Department of Corrections. A probable cause statement said he fled from officers after allegedly shooting at a victim. The Department of Corrections tells ABC 17 he was released in March 2021.
Court documents show he was charged with felony possession of drugs with intent to distribute and unlawful use of a weapon in March of 2014. He was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections. A probable cause statement said a victim claimed Brownlee threatened them with a gun, after which he fled from police and was found in posession of cocaine.
In 2013, court documents show he was charged with misdemeanor third degree domestic assault in April, and robbery in June. He was sentenced to one year in the Boone County Jail.
