COLUMBIA, MO — A Columbia man was arrested Monday in Lincoln County in connection with a late-night shooting last month at Douglass Park that left two people injured. Authorities identified the suspect as 42-year-old Lenn Dukes of Columbia. He is accused in a July 25 shooting in the 300 block of North Providence Road. Court records list charges including two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm because of a prior conviction and unlawful use of a weapon.
How the shooting unfolded
Police said officers responded to a shots-fired call and found an adult male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. That man was located near the Blind Boone Center on North Providence Road, according to court documents. He was taken to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening, including gunshot wounds to his left bicep, right side and upper back.
Investigators said surveillance video showed the victim running from Douglass Park and stopping at the Blind Boone Center after the gunfire. During the investigation, police also identified a second adult victim who had been struck by gunfire but did not need medical treatment.
Statements from witnesses
According to a probable cause statement, the hospitalized victim later told police he had been sitting at the same picnic table as Dukes before the shooting. He said that after some conversation between them, he heard Dukes fire his gun four times. The victim said he could not remember what the two had been discussing.
A witness gave a different account, telling police they saw Dukes walk up to the hospitalized victim and say he wanted the victim’s money before moving away and firing the weapon. Police said that witness also reported the second victim was sitting right beside the first when the shots were fired.
Charges filed against Dukes
Online court records show Dukes faces serious felony allegations tied to the shooting and to gun possession. The charges include two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action, along with unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction and unlawful use of a weapon. Those counts indicate investigators believe a firearm was used in the incident and that the suspect was prohibited from possessing one because of his record.
Authorities have not said in the records provided how Dukes responded to the allegations at the time of arrest. The case remains in the court system, where the charges will move forward through the normal legal process.
Agencies coordinated arrest
The arrest was carried out through cooperation among the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and Columbia police officers assigned to the Street Crimes Unit. Officials said that joint effort led to Dukes being taken into custody Monday. The arrest links the investigation across county and federal law enforcement partners as they work through the case materials tied to the July shooting.
The Columbia Police Department’s news release said the investigation remains connected to the July 25 incident at Douglass Park. The shooting drew attention because it involved two victims and took place in a public park area near a community center.
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