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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">February 8, 2026</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Brian McNeill
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.825.4022
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Update: Columbia Police arrest suspect for murder following shooting on North Garth Avenue</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police have arrested Michael Graham, 66, of Columbia, for the murder of Vasshon Haywood, 48, of Columbia, following a shooting Feb. 7 in the 700 block of North Garth Avenue. </span></p>
<p>Haywood died at a local hospital of injuries sustained in the shooting. Next of kin has been notified.</p>
<p>Columbia Police arrested Graham on charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, stealing, possession of a controlled substance, and tampering with physical evidence. </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At about 9:20 p.m. on Feb. 7, Columbia Police responded to a shots fired call in the 700 block of North Garth Avenue. Police officers located Haywood with an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652. To provide information without leaving your name or number, call CrimeStoppers at 573.875.8477 or visit </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="http://www.p3tips.com/899?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNTRjcXBNMjA2VVdSazBjZQEeWtTwMybJza38Tl4wSYajyJQTI_Zf713ElqkK6tBAocUUMi1BesJdZydP6eY_aem_xugvqyBs0iQiygoQc-5ZxA"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://www.p3tips.com/899</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. If you provide information to CrimeStoppers that leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Case Number 2026-001143</strong></p>
<p>Previous release:</p>
<p><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=9588"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police respond to shooting on North Garth Avenue</span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Missouri statutes:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">565.021 - Murder in the second degree</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">571.015 - Armed criminal action</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">571.030 - Unlawful use of a weapon</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">570.030 - Stealing</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">579.015 - Possession of a controlled substance</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">575.100 - Tampering with physical evidence</span></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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