Three men have been charged in connection with the killing a Jefferson City man, Sunday.
Charles Thompson, 17, St. Louis, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree attempted robbery and armed criminal action.
Vincent Smith, 25, Jefferson City, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree attempted robbery and armed criminal action.
Robert Burks, 23, Jefferson City, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree burglary
A Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement claims Thompson shot and killed Johnny Evans, 52, during a robbery at Evans residence in the 1100 block of East High Street.
In that paperwork filed in court, police allege that prior to the robbery, Smith said he called Thompson and told him he had a "lick" for him. Smith said he told Thompson to get a gun from another individual to pull off the "lick"/robbery.
Thompson and Smith reportedly forced their way into Evans' apartment. Thompson was carrying a .380 handgun when he shot and killed Evans. Smith admitted to police that he kicked in a rear door to Evans' apartment to gain entry. He said Thompson went with him, but Smith said he only wanted to rob Evans. According to Smith, once inside the apartment they started to remove items from the living room area where Evans was lying down on the couch.
Police said Smith also told them that, when Evans attempted to get up, he heard a loud bang and looked toward Thompson who was holding a gun. Smith said he heard another shot and got scared and ran out of the house. Evans managed to make his way to a neighbors apartment to report he'd been shot. Evans collapsed and was unconscious before police arrived on the scene. He was taken to a local hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Smith reportedly told police there was a third person involved who drove he and Thompson to Evans residence and Smith identified that man as Burks. Smith also stated that Burks had his four month infant child in a child seat during the robbery.
Police also claim, during an interview, Burks denied being in Jefferson City between Friday and Sunday. He said he was in St. Louis visiting family. When confronted with what Smith had told authorities, Burks then admitted to being in Jefferson City at the time of the crime. He said he and his four month old were in their car on Dulle Street preparing to go to the store when Smith and Thompson approached them asking for a ride. Burks said he agreed to give the pair a ride and while en-route to Evans' residence Burks said he saw Thompson was in possession of a handgun. Burks said he parked on Olive Street and Thompson and Smith exited Burks' car. After tending to his child, Burks started to leave the area, but then saw Smith and Thompson running towards him. They both got back into the vehicle and Burks drove away, heading back to the Elizabeth Street area where Smith and Thompson lived.
Burks said Thompson told him he "got a body," according to police.
During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Jefferson City Police Department Spokesman Capt. Doug Shoemaker said this was still an open case and not a random crime and that more arrests could be coming. He said all those involved did have a knowledge of one another, but exactly how they knew each other he said was still being investigated.
"I also want to add that there is nothing negative about the history of Mr. Evans and from what we have been told he was thought of very highly in the community," Shoemaker said. "We extend our sympathy to his family."
Shoemaker said since the incident, detectives and members of the department's community action team worked to develop leads and that led to the arrests of the three men.
Smith and Burks were taken into custody by police on Tuesday, while Thompson, who does have ties to Jefferson City, fled to St. Louis and he was located around noon on Wednesday.