(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ Columbia, MO - In the early hours of June 14, an armed robbery took place at a business located in the 600 block of Scott Boulevard. According to reports, three Black male suspects entered the establishment around 2:30 a.m. One of the suspects acted as a lookout near the doorway while the other two went behind the counter and began ransacking the business.

The suspects were armed, with one brandishing a handgun and attempting to force the clerk to open a safe. However, their attempts were unsuccessful and they ended up taking an undisclosed amount of cash and merchandise before fleeing from the scene.

Just a day later, on June 15 at approximately 8 p.m., Columbia Police responded to a call about shots fired in the area of East Broadway and Old 63. Upon arrival, they found 18-year-old Zarian Simpson with a gunshot wound. Emergency Medical Services treated Simpson at the scene before transporting him to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. His next of kin have been notified.

Further investigation by Columbia Police revealed that Simpson was actually a victim of an armed robbery that occurred on Broadway and Eighth Street just before he was shot on East Broadway and Old 63. It is believed that Simpson followed the suspects as they fled from the scene and was shot by one of them while both parties were traveling in vehicles on the roadway.

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As detectives continued their investigation, they were able to identify three suspects involved in both incidents - two juveniles aged 13 and 15, as well as an adult male named Steven Paden. On June 16 and 17, all three suspects were spotted in Glasgow, MO but managed to evade arrest. They are now considered armed and dangerous.

The first suspect is described as a light-skinned Black male aged 13 with medium build and long hair. The second suspect is said to be a dark-skinned Black male aged 15 with a small build and short dreadlocks. The third suspect, Steven Paden, is a 34-year-old dark-skinned Black male with medium build and red or burgundy dreadlocks.

The Columbia Police Department is urging anyone who may have information about these incidents or the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward. They can contact the department at 573.874.7652 or provide information anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 573.875.8477 or online at http://www.p3tips.com/899. A cash reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest.

This is an ongoing investigation and the case numbers are 2025-005420 and 2025-005471.

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