An 18-year-old Sedalian has been charged for shooting at a vehicle Friday afternoon.
Ezra S. Cowan, of the 300 block of East Jackson Street, has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon — shooting at a person, motor vehicle or building, unlawful use of a weapon — discharging into a home or motor vehicle, first degree property damage, armed criminal action and possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana.
According to court documents, members of the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired at 12:10 p.m. Friday in the 2900 block of South Washington Avenue in Sedalia. A detective spoke with the victim, who said she heard shots fired outside her friend’s residence and when she looked outside she noticed a red Pontiac Grand Am driven by Cowan. She said the car drove slowly by the residence and more gunshots came from the vehicle, then it fled the area.
Court documents state the detective found five shell .40 caliber casings and several bullet holes in a vehicle. Spent rounds were also found inside the vehicle.
Cowan was located driving a red Pontiac Grand Prix at 1:39 p.m. near Heard Avenue and Walnut Street where he was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed a small amount of marijuana.
During an interview with a Pettis County detective, Cowan was not forthcoming with information and offered “vague and misleading” answers, court documents state. He claimed he had just picked up his car prior to being arrested, saying at one point he knew who had the vehicle but later denied knowing that information.
The detective also spoke with Keegan R. Webner, 17, who said she was with Cowan when he fired several shots at the victim’s vehicle, using a pistol Webner took from her grandfather, court documents state. Webner also said Cowan was upset about being assaulted the day before, something Cowan had briefly mentioned during his interview, and that he wanted a firearm so he could look for those who assaulted him.
Charges have not been filed against Webner.
Cowan is at the Pettis County Jail on a $250,000 bond, cash or surety. An arraignment took place Monday where Cowan entered a not guilty plea. A hearing has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 25 at the Pettis County Courthouse.
Online court documents only list minor traffic convictions for Cowan’s legal history.
