In the summer of 2017, a violent incident unfolded near the intersection of the U.S. 63 connector and the Interstate 70 entrance ramp in Columbia, Missouri. On the night of June 26, Quenten Maurice Hurt was a passenger in an SUV driven by his friend, who was the ex-girlfriend of a man named Denico Crawley. Authorities determined that Crawley, fueled by a dispute, ambushed the vehicle. He fired at least 11 shots into the car, striking both occupants.
While the driver sustained three gunshot wounds and survived the attack, the passenger was critically injured.
Emergency responders transported the victims to a local hospital, where the 25-year-old male fought for his life for over two weeks. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and died on July 12, 2017. Friends and family later remembered him for his infectious smile and his ambition, noting that he had attended Lincoln University with aspirations of starting a business in real estate. The community mourned the loss of a young life cut short by an act of targeted violence.
Law enforcement officers quickly identified Denico Crawley as the primary suspect in the shooting. Following an investigation, Crawley was arrested and faced multiple felony charges, including second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. During the legal proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence that Crawley had intentionally fired into the occupied vehicle. In December 2018, a jury found him guilty on all counts. The court subsequently sentenced Crawley to 105 years in prison, ensuring a lengthy term of incarceration for the crime that claimed one life and nearly took another.
