A man has been charged with murder and three other crimes in connection to a shooting early Saturday morning that left two people dead.
The suspect, 35-year-old Damien L. Davis, has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of weapons and unlawful possession of a firearm by the Cole County Prosecutor.
Jefferson City Police responded to the 200 block of E. High St. at 12:56 a.m. Saturday in response to multiple reports of gunshots, according to a JCPD news release. The department then received multiple reports that several people inside JPfenny's, the bar at 217 E. High St., had been shot.
The release said officers from multiple law enforcement agencies responded and were on the scene within minutes. Officers on the scene found the two victims and took the suspect into custody.
The JCPD investigation determined a fight broke out between Corey Thames, one of the victims, and Davis. Davis pulled out a handgun, then Skyler Smock, an employee at JPfenny's, separated the parties and started escorting Thames out of the business.
Davis began firing the handgun before Smock could get Thames out of the building and both Smock and Thames were fatally wounded.
Davis was taken to the police department and read his Miranda warning before agreeing to talk to investigators, the release said. Davis admitted to shooting at Thames and unintentionally hitting Smock in the process, according to the release. Davis has a criminal history that prohibits him from possessing a firearm.
JCPD urges anyone with information prudent to the ongoing investigation to contact JCPD at 573-635-6400, Crimestoppers at 659-TIPS (659-8477) or at http://jeffcitycrimestoppers.com/