In the early morning hours of June 6, 2025, a chaotic scene unfolded at an Airbnb in Columbia's Elmwood Park neighborhood, leaving 18-year-old Jayden Brackins dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Police were initially called to the 2400 block of Lincoln Street around 5 a.m. for a possible car break-in, but the call was quickly upgraded to 'shots fired.' Upon arrival, officers discovered a violent scene with multiple victims inside the residence.
Three other individuals, a 17-year-old male and two 18-year-old females, were also shot but survived. Brackins was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators described the inside of the short-term rental as a 'warzone,' with over 30 spent shell casings from various firearms recovered. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, though police believe the victims and suspects were acquainted. Jayden Brackins was reportedly in town visiting his aunt at the time of his death.
The investigation led to the swift arrests of two teenagers. A 15-year-old male was taken into custody on the same day as the shooting, followed by the arrest of 18-year-old Latrell D.D. Hughey the next day. Months later, in November 2025, a third suspect, a 17-year-old male, was apprehended in Atlanta, Georgia, and extradited back to Columbia.
The suspects face a range of serious charges. The 15-year-old was charged with kidnapping, armed robbery with a deadly weapon, criminal conspiracy, and weapons possession. Latrell D.D. Hughey was charged with murder, three counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The 17-year-old arrested in Atlanta faces charges of murder, three counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, criminal conspiracy, and illegal firearm possession. Another individual, 18-year-old Asyia Bellamy, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact of a felony.
