Columbia’s Links apartments

Columbia man jailed without bond, accused of hindering prosecution of high-profile murder suspect

November 10, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Police are seeking hindering prosecution charges against a Columbia man who allegedly helped a Columbia murder suspect evade capture for a time last week.

39-year-old Maurice Penny is jailed without bond this morning on potential charges of resisting arrest and hindering prosecution.

CPD investigators say Maurice Penny was seen last Thursday with 18-year-old Ja’Shaun Barney, who was later captured after a high-speed pursuit that started at the Links apartments near I-70. Barney is charged with second degree murder for the June drive-by killing of Deshon Houston on Dove drive. Houston was shot in the head in broad daylight that day and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Columbia Police Department’s probable cause statement indicates multiple shooters fired at Houston from a Ford Explorer, while a separate gunman fired from an Acura’s sunroof. Columbia Police are still actively searching for three additional murder suspects in this case: 19-year-old Alqueze Jones, 19-year-old Deljuan Turner and 21-year-old Deazes Turner. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is encouraged to call Columbia Crimestoppers at (573) 875-TIPS.

UPDATE: Columbia murder suspect expected to be arraigned today

November 6, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Police have captured a murder suspect that they’ve been searching for for several months.

18-year-old Ja’Shaun Barney was captured after a Thursday night high-speed pursuit that began at the Links apartments on Clark lane and ended near the Business Loop and Creasy Springs road, after authorities used spike strips.

Barney is charged with second degree murder for the high-profile June drive-by shooting death of Deshon Houston, who was shot in the head while standing in his driveway.

Court documents indicate multiple shooters fired at Houston from a Ford Explorer, while a separate gunman fired from an Acura’s sunroof. Barney is the fourth suspect to be captured in this case. The three others are 21-year-old Jajuan Crockett, 18-year-old Demarkus Williams and 19-year-old Bryton Allen.

Authorities are still searching for three additional suspects: 19-year-old Alqueze Jones, 19-year-old Deljuan Turner and 21-year-old Deazes Turner. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is encouraged to call Columbia Crimestoppers at (573) 875-TIPS.

Search continues for Columbia shooting suspect; victim reportedly critically injured

September 1, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Police are continuing their search for the suspect or suspects accused of shooting a motorist late Wednesday morning on Old Highway 63, near Westlake hardware.

Our news partner KMIZ reports the victim is in critical condition. Columbia Police say they do not believe there is a threat to the general public, which indicates the shooting likely isn’t random.

KMIZ reports Columbia Police and a SWAT vehicle surrounded an apartment at the Links in Columbia yesterday evening, using a drone as well. They believed the suspect may have barricaded himself inside an apartment, but he wasn’t inside.

Anyone with information about the shooting should call Columbia CrimeStoppers at (573) 875-TIPS.