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Columbia, Mo. (KMIZ)
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged a Colombian man with multiple crimes after a woman’s body was found in a car on Monday.
Columbia police arrested Montez L. Williams, 31, on charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, child endangerment and resisting arrest, the Columbia Police Department said in a social media post. Williams is accused of killing April Joanne Brooks, 42, of Cuba, Missouri.
Police blocked off a section of Blue Ridge Road in northern Columbia on Monday after Brooks was found shot to death in a car, according to CPD. Williams was later arrested. He remained in the Boone County Jail Tuesday afternoon with no bond. A preliminary hearing was not scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged Williams with six counts — five recommended by police and the drive-by shooting.
(1) At approximately 6:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, Columbia police were dispatched to the 2700 block of Blue Ridge Road in reference to a death investigation. Officers were directed to locate a vehicle in the area and believe the driver was deceased. pic.twitter.com/9sIqBPfHI2
— ColumbiaPD (@ColumbiaPD) November 15, 2022
Police found Williams and his child inside a home with a man who had spoken to other people on Monday, according to a probable cause affidavit. A witness told investigators Brooks and Williams were fighting in the vehicle and someone told Williams to get out, according to the affidavit. Williams then shot Brooks, police say.
Officers used surveillance video from a residence Sunday night that showed a muzzle flash inside the car while it was parked on the side of the street. After the shooting, two men are seen leaving the vehicle with a child.
Police pulled Williams over Monday in the 2400 block of Paris Road and he drove away, the statement said. The pursuit ended after police found Williams’ tires flat on East St. Charles Road. Williams had a gun when he was arrested, according to the release.
Williams admitted to firing the shots from the back seat of the vehicle.
Williams has prior arrests for drug possession, trespassing and domestic violence, among other crimes, according to a police statement. He is on probation for drug and gun charges, according to Missouri Department of Corrections records.
Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger said his office is seeking to revoke Williams’ probation on the gun charges. Shellabarger said he planned to ask for a seven-year sentence.
In CPD’s social media message, police highlighted the work of shelters like True North, saying, “Many of our department’s recent homicides involve elements of domestic violence.”
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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