An argument between roommates in Franklin County ended in gunfire early Thursday, leaving one man dead and another facing a stack of felony charges after a chaotic scene in Lonedell, authorities say.
Deputies responding to a 911 call in the 1000 block of Birch Drive around 1:15 a.m. found 28-year-old Gage Cowin suffering from gunshot wounds. Cowin later died from his injuries. Investigators also found an overturned gray Ford Focus near the home, with a revolver-style handgun recovered from inside the vehicle, according to First Alert 4.
Law enforcement officials said they saw a man walking back toward the overturned car before he was detained. That man, identified as 29-year-old Levi E. Taylor of Sullivan, is accused of killing his roommate, the outlet reports. A 911 caller told dispatchers the two men had been arguing just before the shots were fired, according to the same report.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said Taylor has been charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and DWI, First Alert 4 reports.
Charges and what they mean
Under Missouri law, second-degree murder is a Class A felony, a category that can carry a sentence of decades in prison or even life behind bars. The offense is defined in RSMo 565.021 from the Missouri Revisor of Statutes.
Armed criminal action is charged separately and can add additional prison time on top of any sentence for the underlying crime. Penalties for that offense are outlined under RSMo 571.015.
Investigation continues
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and has asked anyone with information, photos or video related to the incident to contact detectives, according to First Alert 4.
Taylor remains booked on the listed charges as the case moves toward arraignment and further court proceedings.
