On Saturday, March 31, 2012, a Columbia County man suffered a gunshot injury following an argument with neighbors. Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 134 N.E. Sunnybrook St., Lake City, FL at approximately 12:00 am to investigate a shooting.
Deputies determined that an argument had occurred between the victim and the two suspects. Deputies allege that suspect Jay Cowan fired a shotgun into the ground near where the victim was standing during the verbal argument. The victim then approached the front porch of the home and was shot by suspect John Cowan. John Cowan called 911 after allegedly shooting the victim.
The victim was flown to a trauma center in Gainesville, FL for treatment of a single gunshot wound to the neck. The victim is expected to recover from his injury.
Detectives from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office were able to recover a .32 caliber handgun from the front porch of the home in addition to two shotguns.
Deputies arrested the two suspects without incident. Both were booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility and are being held on $750,000.00 each.
Arrested:
Jay Edward Cowan, 11/15/1978
314 N.W. Pitts Glen, Lake City, FL
Charges: Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
Bond: $75,000.00 (IN CUSTODY)
John Edward Cowan, 1/19/1952
246 N.W. Johnson St., Lake City, FL
Charges: Aggravated Battery with a Firearm
Bond: $75,000.00 (IN CUSTODY)