COLUMBIA — Three men were arrested Wednesday and warrants have been issued for the arrest of two others in connection with the slaying of Nathaniel Bentley, a Columbia police news release states.
Michael Jaco, 17, Denzell L. Smith, 17, and Malcolm A. Washington, 26, were arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action, the release said. As of 7 a.m., bail had not been set for the three men.
Warrants have been issued on the same charges for Quiliam E. Jacobs, 17, of Columbia and Damon A. Williams, 23, of Ashland. Washington was scheduled to be tried for misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor domestic assault, two counts of misdemeanor property damage and misdemeanor peace disturbance on July 15 in Boone County Circuit Court.
Williams pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary in January and was serving a suspended six-year sentence. In late May, Williams also pleaded guilty to felony receiving stolen property and was serving a suspended four-year sentence. He was placed on five years of supervised probation.
Both Williams and Jacobs are considered armed and dangerous, the release said.
Early Tuesday morning, Bentley was fatally shot in the head during a home invasion robbery in a southeast Columbia neighborhood, police said.
Anyone with information should contact CrimeStoppers at 875-TIPS.