Two Sedalia Men Arrested in Connection to Thursday Night Shooting

Two Sedalia men were arrested Saturday morning in connection to a shooting that occurred Thursday night in Sedalia, when a 16-year old was shot twice.

According to a press release from the Sedalia Police Department, officers responded to the area of W. 7th Street and S. Missouri Ave. late Thursday night (July 27), in reference to gun shots being fired.

Officers arrived on scene and the initial investigation revealed a fight was started by several subjects. One of the subjects pulled a gun and began shooting several times, according to the report. A 16-year old male, later identified as Darrius Cotton, of Belton, MO, was shot twice and taken to Bothwell Regional Health Center by his friends, then later to a hospital in Columbia.

Further investigation revealed the suspects, 20-year old Patrick Covington and 18-year old Keyshawn Flowers, both of Sedalia, were wanted in connection to the shooting.

The press release indicates that detectives later learned that the suspects were located in an apartment in the 14000 block of Centerline Ave, in Cole Camp.

On Saturday (July 29), Sedalia Police, in coordination with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Benton County Sheriff's Department, responded to the apartment and set up a perimeter at the apartment complex. According to the report, nearby residents were evacuated and commands were given for the suspects to come out of the apartment.

About 90 minutes later, Patrick Covington came out of the apartment and was arrested. About an hour after that, a SWAT Team with the Missouri State Highway Patrol prepared to make entry, and the other suspect, Keyshawn Flowers, gave up and was arrested.

A search of the apartment revealed two guns believed to be used in the incident.

Both suspects were taken to the Sedalia Police Department, and during the interviews, both Covington and Flowers reportedly admitted their involvement in the shooting.

Covington and Flowers were both placed on a 24-hour hold in the Pettis County Jail, pending the filing of state charges for 1st Degree Assault, Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Firearm, Resisting Arrest, and Stealing.

According to the report, Cotton was listed in stable condition.

The investigation is on-going at this time.