On the afternoon of June 26, 2023, violence erupted in the 3200 block of Dove Drive in Columbia, Missouri, claiming the life of 33-year-old Deshon Joseph Alexander Houston. Officers from the Columbia Police Department responded to multiple reports of shots fired at approximately 4:30 p.m., arriving to find the Black male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite the arrival of emergency responders, Houston was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation indicated that the fatal encounter was a drive-by shooting, with witnesses describing a chaotic scene where multiple gunmen unleashed a barrage of bullets from moving vehicles before speeding away.
Law enforcement immediately launched an extensive manhunt for the perpetrators, who fled the area in two specific vehicles: a white Ford Explorer and a gold Acura MDX. The white Explorer was soon discovered crashed in the 3800 block of West Gibbs Road, where witnesses reported seeing several individuals abandoning the wreckage and running into the nearby woods. A massive search operation ensued, involving K-9 units, helicopters, and multiple police agencies, but the suspects initially managed to evade capture. Investigators meticulously combed through the evidence, recovering shell casings of various calibers—including. 300 Blackout,. 45 Auto, and 9mm—strewn across the crime scene and inside the abandoned vehicle, linking the firepower to the group of assailants.
In the days and months following the murder, detectives successfully identified and apprehended a large group of suspects believed to be involved in the coordinated attack. By June 29, 2023, charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon were filed against Jajuan Crockett, Bryton Allen, and Damarkus Williams. The investigation continued to yield arrests well into late 2023, with Ja'Shaun Barney taken into custody in November after a vehicle pursuit that ended near Business Loop 70 West. Others, including Alex Glay and Maurice Penny Jr., faced charges related to resisting arrest and hindering the prosecution by aiding the primary suspects. Authorities also identified and sought other individuals, including Alqueze Jones and brothers Deljuan and Deazes Turner, characterizing the group as armed and dangerous during the manhunt.
As the legal proceedings advanced, the case involved at least seven charged defendants, with reports indicating that by early 2026, six of the men had pleaded guilty to reduced counts. However, Damarkus Williams proceeded to trial. On January 6, 2026, jury selection began for Williams, who faced charges of second-degree murder and first-degree assault at the Boone County Courthouse. Prosecutors alleged that Williams was linked to one of the vehicles used in the attack that peppered Houston with gunfire as he stood in his driveway, marking a significant step in the years-long effort to secure justice for the victim.
