Columbia man pleads guilty to deadly 2023 shooting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man pleaded guilty to murder in the courtroom an hour before jury selection was set to start on Tuesday.

John Williamson III, 28, was sentenced to 27 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for the shooting of a woman on Typhoon Court in December 2023.

He pleaded to amended charges of second-degree murder after initially being charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

Williamson was in accompanied in the court room by his attorney, Carissa Tarnowski. Shortly after he entered his plea of guilty, Tarnowski addressed the court room and stated Williamson would reflect on the shooting for the next 27 years, but believed the shooting was an accident.

This caused confusion in the courtroom, and ultimately led to Judge Stephanie Morrell clarifying with Williamson that he was, in fact, pleading guilty to second-degree murder, meaning he intended to harm her.

Court documents state he shot Azairah Brownlee, 27, of Columbia on Dec. 8, 2023, in the neck. She later died at the hospital.

According to the statement, a witness told police that Williamson was Brownlee's ex-boyfriend. Police reported Williamson jumped into the bed of the truck that Brownlee and the witness were sitting in and began yelling.

The witness told police Brownlee was tired of Williamson banging on the truck and got out. The two started fighting, resulting in them falling to the ground. Police said the witness reported hearing gunshots and said Williamson admitted to shooting Brownlee.

"Azairah...she was sweet you know, she cared about family. She cared about friends. She cared about who she cared about," Brownlee's cousin Kenya Kellin told ABC 17 News after Tuesday's hearing. "And to see her gone for a tragedy like this, it's heartbreaking because I didn't expect for my family to go through a tragedy like this."

Johnson said he found the agreed upon sentence for Williamson to be a punishment that reflects accountability. However, he said justice in murder cases is never truly reached.

"No matter what we do, we're always coming into a case after something bad has happened and trying to figure out what to do about that," Johnson said.

Johnson said he believes the case highlights the seriousness of domestic violence, noting that the case was a part of a string of ongoing domestic violence. According to Johnson, a case between Williamson and Brownlee was being prosecuted where he allegedly beat her with a handgun, but Brownlee was not able to assist in it.

Johnson said his office has dealt with many cases where a woman--through her own choices or intimidation-- decides not to make herself available to prosecute the domestic violence.

"Ultimately, it escalates to the point where the person ends up killing the woman," Johnson said. "So, I would really encourage people who know about, or people who are being the victims of domestic violence to come and talk to us about those cases because we want to make sure that people have agency in prosecuting the cases."

True North of Columbia is one of several places in Mid-Missouri that offers resources and services to victims of domestic violence. Resources include:

• 24/7 Crisis Hotline: A confidential, around-the-clock phone line where trained advocates provide immediate crisis support, safety planning, and resource referrals;
• Emergency Shelter: Safe, confidential housing for survivors and their children who are fleeing abusive situations;
• Court Advocacy: Assistance navigating protective orders, court accompaniment, and referrals to legal services like Mid-Missouri Legal Services and the Child and Family Justice Clinic;
• Counseling Services: Trauma-informed counseling and support groups for survivors;
• Case Management: Help with safety planning, goal setting, referrals for housing, employment, childcare, and medical services;
• Children’s Programming: Helps children who have witnessed violence heal and supports their parents through the transition;
• Hospital Advocacy: Staff and volunteers provide 24/7 advocacy at the hospital;
• Community Education and Prevention: Trainings and awareness campaigns to educate the community about intimate partner violence, sexual violence, sex trafficking, and stalking. Promote healthy relationships through partnership with the Columbia Police Department to youth and young adults in Boone County.

"Intimate partner violence is often very hidden and under reported because of the stigma surrounding it," Executive Director Michele Snodderley told ABC 17 News via email "It is a public health, human rights, and community safety issue that affects people of every age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status."

ABC 17 News asked Tarnowski for comment. She declined to provide further comment than what was said in the courtroom.