Police say the three attacks are related.
One Columbia man was arrested late Thursday and another early Friday in connection with two shooting incidents Wednesday near two day-care centers and an elementary school.
In a third incident Thursday night on North Garth Avenue, a car that police suspect was used in one of the Wednesday shootings was sprayed with bullets. Police said the three shootings are related.
The Wednesday shootings occurred at the intersection of Allen Street and LaSalle Place on Wednesday afternoon and at the intersection of Fourth and Grand avenues later that day. No one was injured in either shooting, though children were playing at Ridgeway Elementary and heard the shots in the second incident.
Byron E. Anderson, 19, 5485 S. Bethel Church Road, was arrested and charged with two counts of armed criminal action and two counts of second-degree assault in connection with both shootings. Michael J. Walker, 20, 800 E. Demaret Drive, was also arrested and charged with unlawful use of a weapon in the shooting at Fourth and Grand avenues.
Capt. Brad Nelson said police linked the men to the shootings through statements made during interviews. A dispute between two groups of men prompted the shootings, he said.
Police were not treating the incidents as gang-related, Sgt. John White said.
Police also said the shooting was linked to the others, but no new arrests had been made Friday.
Anderson and Walker were both transported to Boone County Jail early Friday. Anderson posted $20,000 bond and was released. Walker also posted $5,000 bond and was released.
The investigation is ongoing, and police continue to seek suspects, Nelson said.