In the late afternoon of May 17, 2024, a dispute in the parking lot of a White Castle in Columbia, Missouri, escalated into a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 56-year-old Louis Wardell Hart, a male resident of Columbia. The incident unfolded as a physical altercation between Hart and another man, which quickly turned violent.
Authorities identified 24-year-old Antione Lamont Armstrong as the primary suspect in Hart's death.
According to a probable cause statement, the confrontation began with a physical struggle between the two men. Witnesses reported that Armstrong attempted to strike Hart, at which point Hart drew a firearm and shot Armstrong. While on the ground, Armstrong allegedly returned fire, fatally wounding Hart. A second individual was also struck by gunfire during the exchange and was transported to a local hospital by a private vehicle.
Following the investigation, Antione Lamont Armstrong was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and two other felonies. As a convicted felon, Armstrong was prohibited from possessing a firearm. In addition to the new charges, his parole for previous convictions was revoked, and he was denied bond. Armstrong is currently incarcerated at the Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center.
A 20-year-old woman, Jayden McGerald, was also implicated in the aftermath of the shooting. She was charged with tampering with evidence for allegedly attempting to hide the gun used by Armstrong. The legal proceedings for both Armstrong and McGerald are ongoing.
