The 15-year-old shooter in a homicide at a party on April 7 is still in custody following a detention hearing that could try the shooter as an adult in court.
Although the suspect is a minor, he could be tried as an adult, according to Missouri Statute Section 211.071, since the crime is considered a felony.
The suspect was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action during his detention hearing on April 9.
According to a news release from Family Court Services-Juvenile Division, the juvenile is being detained at the Robert L. Perry Juvenile Justice Center.
The suspect reportedly shot and killed 17-year-old Bryan Rankin at a party on April 7 when a dispute between the two broke on the northeast side of Columbia, according to a [previous Maneater article](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2012/4/10/15-year-old-arrested-connection-weekend-homicide/).
There is no confirmed reason behind the fight at this point, Boone County Courthouse administrator Kathy Lloyd said.
Jasmine Preyer, a 19-year-old Rock Bridge High School graduate who was at the party during the shooting, said the fight was prompted after an argument about the party’s host.
“At first they were just fighting,” Preyer said. “Then the other kid left, came back again and shot him.”
Rankin was rushed to MU’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 4 a.m.
School administrators are doing all they can for students at this time, Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said.
“We have the counselors on hand, ready to speak with anyone if they need to,” Baumstark said. “If necessary we can have counselors from other schools come in as well.”
Students are encouraged to go talk to a counselor even if for only a short period.
There is no solid information to suggest that this situation was gang violence. It is possible the shooter was in a gang since witnesses saw him return to commit the crime with 10-15 other people, according to [an article in the Columbia Missourian](http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2012/04/11/bryan-rankin-known-generosity-compassion/).
Officers responded to the scene and were unable to locate the suspect initially, according to a past Maneater article.
