Attempted murder suspect arrested while out on bond

Lance D. Cooper was arrested early Thursday by Magnolia police on charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm after a reported 1:40 a.m. shooting on Peace Street. Upon arrival at the scene, MPD officials found that a gunshot victim had been transported to Magnolia Regional Medical Center by a private vehicle and the suspect, Cooper, walking away from the scene.

The shooting reportedly occurred during an argument at a Peace Street residence. A handgun believed to be the attempted murder weapon was also later retrieved by authorities. The victim was seriously injured but is recovering, while Cooper has been taken into police custody.

The 31-year-old Cooper was out on bond as he awaited two separate drug and firearms related cases making their way through Columbia County Circuit Court. For those cases, Cooper was set for a March 28-29 jury trial.

Cooper was one of six individuals arrested in a February 2017 drug raid at 1202 Carver Street where a stolen gun, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and manufacturing supplies were found inside. The house sat in a “designated drug free zone” due to its proximity to a recreation area as the address is just blocks from Magnolia’s South Side Park. An arrest report from last year stated that Cooper was a prior convicted felon. A new case was filed against Cooper in January 2018 stemming from violations dating back to November 22, 2016, that also involved drug and firearms possession.

For the 2016 and 2017 incidents, Cooper was facing charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms; offenses relating to records, maintaining premises, etc., in a drug free zone; two counts of possession of methamphetamine or cocaine with purpose to deliver (2-10 grams); use or possession of paraphernalia to manufacture methamphetamine or cocaine; possession of a firearm by a certain person (felon); theft by receiving-firearm valued under $2,500; two counts of possession of meth or cocaine over 2 grams; possession of marijuana; and habitual offender.

The defendant has appeared in local circuit court several times over the past year leading up to his jury proceeding and was next set for a pre-trial motion March 1. With the new attempted murder charge, however, it could be up in the air as to how state officials elect to go forward with the cases. Cooper will still need to appear before a judge and criminal charges be officially filed in circuit court after a discovery period.

Although Cooper has made bail before, he is currently being held in the Columbia County Detention Center on $250,000 bond.

Upcoming Events