Published: September 6, 2021

THE COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING THE PUBLIC'S HELP IN LOCATING A WANTED PERSON FROM A RECENT HOMICIDE. ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE ON SATURDAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00 PM, OFFICERS WITH THE COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A SHOOTING INCIDENT ON HANNAWAY STREET. UPON ARRIVAL, OFFICERS LOCATED 53 YEAR OLD MICHAEL SHEA BOYD WHO HAD SUFFERED A GUNSHOT WOUND. BOYD UNFORTUNATELY SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES AT MAURY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER. THE SHOOTER HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 39 YEAR OLD BENJAMIN JERMAINE SOWELL. WARRANTS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED AGAINST SOWELL FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT RESULTING IN DEATH, POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING THE COMMISSION OF A DANGEROUS FELONY, AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM. ANY PERSON WITH ANY INFORMATION ON SOWELL'S WHEREABOUTS, OR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT MAY ASSIST IN THIS INVESTIGATION IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION OF COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 931-560-1670.