Family of man killed in north Columbia says argument preceded shooting
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The family of a man who was shot and killed on Triple Crown Drive in north Columbia the night before Thanksgiving say they believe it happened after an argument.
The Columbia Police Department identified Edward Brown Jr., 46 as the victim late Wednesday night. Police said they were called to the 3800 Block of Triple Crown Drive around 5:40 p.m. and found Brown with gunshot wounds and died from his injuries.
A 15-year-old was detained in connection with the shooting.
Courts are closed for the holiday on Thursday and Friday. A spokesman for CPD said on scene Wednesday night that all people allegedly involved in the shooting were in custody and being interviewed.
Brenda Brown, Edward Brown Jr’s mother, said she believes Brown was trying to leave a home he was living in with his girlfriend to go to a relative’s home. She said she believes the two got into an argument before he was shot.
Amanda Harvey, who is the fiancé of Brown’s brother, said she heard something similar. According to Harvey, Brown and his girlfriend had been dating for roughly two or three years and were living together.
She said she spoke to the girlfriend and was told there was an argument before shots were fired. Harvey said it wasn’t out of the ordinary for them to argue, but it would never escalate to the degree it had on Wednesday night.
Police have not yet provided details on what led up to the shooting.
“We never imagined this would happen, especially at the place where he lays his head at night,” Harvey said.
Harvey described Brown as a hard-working, caring and loving man with a contagious laugh.
Harvey said he worked at the Quaker Oats Factory and had several children. She said moving forward, she would like people to remember Brown for the kind of man he was.
“We just want for him to be portrayed as the person he was and for the truth to come out about what really happened,” Harvey said. “And to just protect him and make sure that he’s taken care of and he gets justice for him too.”
Brenda Brown said her son was a loving father, who was originally from New Orleans but moved to Columbia later in his life. Brown said her son wasn’t perfect and had gotten into some trouble and was incarcerated at points in his life, but cared deeply for his children.
“He was definitely a loving father but if I said he didn’t get into any trouble,I would be lying,” Brown said. “All he wanted to do was get all of his children together so that they can be with their daddy.”
Brown said she just wants the person responsible to be held accountable.
“I want justice for my son. I’m definitely forgiving and I forgive them but at the same time, I want justice done. We have to solve the problem while it’s there. The problem has to be solved, you don’t put a murderer back on the street,” Brown said. “I love my son and I miss him and whatever happened it is what it is, just give me justice.”
According to data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, children between the ages of 10-17 have been arrested for the most violent crimes in Columbia in 2025, with 161. The next closest age group is adults between 25 and 34, sitting at 159.