Cousin of Missouri football player shot and killed

Aaron Hobson, 22, of Kansas was shot to death outside of a Break Time Convienience Store on Saturday.

The Break Time, located at 110 Nifong Blvd., was the scene of a murder that began as a robbery.

According to a Columbia Police Department news release, Aaron Hobson, the cousin of Missouri defensive back Trey Hobson, was at the convenience store at about 1:15 a.m. when several suspects approached his car.

The suspects demanded Hobson’s money and shot him after he handed it over, the release stated. The suspect who shot him was identified as Daron M. Peal. He and his brother, Darris A. Peal, are still at large and are being considered armed and dangerous.

CPD spokeswoman Jill Weineke said she was unsure why Hobson was in Columbia that morning.

In total, there were five suspects involved in the robbery. According to the news release, three have turned themselves into Columbia Police.

Tony L. Lewis, 27, of Booneville and Leo D. Roland, 19, of Columbia, were the first to turn themselves in. Both voluntarily went to the CPD and implicated themselves in the robbery.

The third suspect to turn himself in was Deshon Huston, 20, of Columbia. Huston also implicated himself in the robbery, but also told investigators that he struck Hobson during the robbery.

According to a news release, the robbers gathered at Huston’s vehicle before descending on Hobson’s vehicle.

After the robbery was complete and after Hobson was shot dead, the suspects fled the scene, the release stated. An officer responding to gunfire at the scene identified Lewis and Roland, who turned themselves in the next day.

Huston did not turn himself in until later the same day.

All the suspects that turned themselves in were arrested on the charge of second-degree murder. Both Lewis and Roland were also charged with first-degree robbery.

All three suspects’ bonds have been set at $1 million, accepted in cash only.

The suspected shooter, Daron M. Peal, has been identified as the sole gunman.

Weineke said she doesn’t have any idea as to why Peal shot Hobson.

“Damon Peal has been identified as the shooter,” she said. “You would have to ask him why he shot Aaron Hobson.”

The hunt for the gunman and his brother are ongoing, and until they are apprehended, Columbia residents are advised to be on the lookout.

This was one of two homicides over the weekend. Sunday morning, CPD officers were dispatched to a homeless camp between Everett’s Restaurant and I-70. They found the victim, 55, deceased with injuries to his face and head.

The injuries were not consistent with an accident, a CPD news release stated.

Police have not released the victim’s name because the family has not been notified. CPD is actively investigating the crime but has no suspects identified at this time, the release stated.

Anyone with information about these cases can call Crimestoppers at 875-TIPS.