Columbia, Missouri, was rocked on the night of February 7, 2026, when 48-year-old Vasshon Haywood was found with a life-threatening gunshot wound at Oak Towers, a residential building for independent seniors on the 700 block of North Garth Avenue. Officers responded to reports of gunfire about 9:20 p.m.; paramedics transported Haywood to a local hospital where he later died.

A 66-year-old Columbia resident, Michael Dean Graham, was arrested at the scene. Prosecutors are seeking multiple charges including second-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, stealing, possession of a controlled substance, and tampering with physical evidence. Graham is being held in the Boone County jail without bond and the investigation remains active.

Anyone with information about the shooting at Oak Towers is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department or CrimeStoppers.