Two teens in custody after deadly Randolph County shooting, victim named
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Investigators have detained two juveniles in a deadly shooting in Randolph County on Sunday.
According to a release from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to a home on County Road 2605 at 5:11 p.m. on Sunday.
Deputies found Ethan March, 22, dead with a gunshot wound, according to a Monday afternoon press release the sheriff's office.
The release states that information led investigators to believe the suspect and a second person ran away.
The two were taken into custody at 7:11 p.m. on Sunday, the release says. The release refers to a 16-year-old boy from Columbia as a "suspect" and a 15-year-old girl from Moberly as an "acquaintance."
A deputy told ABC 17 News the two were located in a wooded area near a pond not far from the home with assistance from a drone used by the Macon County Sheriff's Office.
Both were released to the Randolph County Juvenile Office, according to the release. It is considered an ongoing homicide investigation, the release says. The sheriff's office wrote on its Facebook page that there is "no longer a threat to the community."
According to Randolph County Sheriff Aaron Wilson, an autopsy will be performed later in the week. Probable cause statements have also been completed and sent to the Juvenile Office and prosecuting attorney, Wilson said.
Mary Ellen Vanhouten and her husband Lewis have lived in a home minutes from where March was found for 20 years. The two said they were preparing to leave their home to go into town when they saw several emergency vehicles, including an ambulance and helicopter as they left.
The couple said they helped guide the ambulance in the direction of where March was found after authorities learned the location.
Mary Ellen Vanhouten said the event is unusual for an area that is otherwise quiet.
"Moberly is a pretty small town and a small community. Things like this just don't happen, especially a mile, half mile down the road from where you live," Mary Ellen Vanhouten said. "So, it was pretty shocking to have something so close to our own house which is relatively safe and calm and quiet community."
Lewis Vanhouten described the people who live in the area as "close," adding that the complex consists of fewer than 10 homes and each neighbor has the other's phone number. He said everyone was in constant communication the night the homicide allegedly occurred, and said it led to an uneasy feeling among many.
The couple said they stopped at a gas station on their way home Sunday night and were told by a deputy that they were still searching for suspects. This led to many in the area being extra aware.
"Made sure everything was... doors and everything were secured here. We made sure we was talking back-and-forth along the neighbor line that we have. So making sure everybody is keeping everybody up to date," Lewis Vanhouten said. "And then we went ahead and made sure after I got the house all locked up, made sure daughter and her husband's camper's locked up, as well."
