Columbia resident fatally shot Monday morning

The shooting took place in northeast Columbia.

By Stephanie Clark

Published Feb. 17, 2009

The Columbia Police Department has arrested six people linked to the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Ronald C. Brown that happened in northeast Columbia.

Brown was shot early Monday morning near Ballenger Lane.

Columbia police arrested the suspects late Monday night after an extensive investigation.

"We had a lot of people involved in investigating this crime," Capt. Stephen Monticelli said. "We had 20 investigators and then Street Crimes Unit and numerous patrol units, not counting all the patrol officers that responded to the scene, that investigated this matter."

The first suspect, a 16-year-old Columbia resident, was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.

The second suspect, also a 16-year-old Columbia resident, was charged with second-degree murder, possession of a controlled substance and first-degree robbery.

Their names were not released by police.

The other four suspects, Ashtin L. Weger, Nicholas J. Weavers, Michael L. McHenry and Andre J. Lee were all charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery.

Police said Brown, Weger and Lee went behind Ballenger Liquor to meet with a minor to obtain marijuana, according to a police department news release.

Upon their arrival, a Jeep Cherokee arrived and one of the juvenile suspects came out of the jeep and attempted to shoot Weger, Brown and Lee with a handgun, police said. Brown was shot in the pelvic area, and Weger, Brown and Lee shot back at the juvenile who fired the gun. Police said McHenry, Weaver and the two juvenile suspects went to the scene to rob Weger

One of the juvenile suspects implicated himself in the shooting and identified the other suspects who were in the Jeep Cherokee with him, Monticelli said.

"One of the involved groups arranged to purchase a large amount of marijuana from the other," Monticelli said. "Because they didn't have enough money they were going to rob them of the marijuana."

Monticelli said the group didn't plan on selling the marijuana but did plan on robbing the other group. The violence began when both groups realized the other had weapons, Monticelli said.

Boone County Juvenile Office is holding the juveniles involved in the homicide in custody, and the adults are in custody at the Boone County Correctional Office.

CPD officers found the Cherokee believed to be involved in the incident parked at the Home Depot on Clark Lane. The vehicle had damage consistent with bullet holes, the release stated.

Officers were also able to recover one of the firearms used in the shooting.

Some residents of the area weren't aware of what was happening but are uncomfortable now that they are aware of the incident.

"I personally didn't hear any of the gunshots that occurred, but some of my neighbors came over and told me about it when it happened," nearby resident Sarah Welch said. "It's scary to think that stuff like this happens so close to a residential area, especially mine."

Police responded to 2201 Ballenger Lane, the parking lot of Ballenger Liquor and C-Store, at 12:30 a.m. Monday after several reports of multiple gunshots were made by local residents. Upon their arrival, police found Brown with an injury in his upper leg from a gunshot.

Brown was then taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.