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UPDATE: First degree murder charges being sought against Columbia man for weekend killing of woman

The Columbia Police logo on CPD headquarters downtown (2021 file photo from 939 the Eagle News

Columbia Police are seeking murder charges against a man suspected of Friday night’s killing of a 27-year-old woman on north Columbia’s Typhoon court, near Smiley lane.

CPD investigators say they’re seeking first degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action charges against 27-year-old John Williamson III of Columbia. Williamson is not currently listed on the Boone County jail roster, so it’s unclear where he is being held.

CPD investigators say officers responded Friday at about 10 pm to a reported assault on Typhoon court, where they found 27-year-old Azairah Brownlee suffering from life-threatening injuries. CPD says officers attempted life-saving measures until Brownlee could be transported to a hospital, but that she later died from her injuries.

CPD says detectives quickly identified Williamson as a person of interest, and that he was arrested this weekend by officers and the street crimes unit. Williamson is already set to go on trial in April in Boone County for an alleged 2020 unlawful use of a weapon incident. He’s also charged with felony stealing and with possession of a controlled substance from February incidents.