A sixteen-year-old boy was killed Friday night after being shot in the chest, according to a press release from the Magnolia Police Department.
According to the release, the MPD and Columbia County Ambulance service responded shortly before 11 p.m. on Dec. 4 to a report of gunshots at the Preston Apartments; there, they found the minor victim with “gunshot wounds” in his chest. He was transported to the Magnolia Regional Medical Center, where he passed away.
The MPD began investigating the incident and advised law enforcement agencies of the investigation. On Saturday, a Camden Police officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that had been reported stolen, which led to the discovery of evidence from the shooting in Magnolia and the subsequent arrest of sixteen-year-old Kobe Leichmon of El Dorado.
Leichmon made his first appearance at the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit court Monday afternoon with Judge David Talley, Jr. presiding. Leichmon entered the courtroom wearing a faded prison uniform with red and white stripes, his hair cut close to the scalp and a goatee on his chin.
Talley read Leichmon his rights, informing the juvenile that he was charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of the sixteen-year-old at the Preston Apartment in Magnolia. A first-degree murder conviction carries a sentence of 10 - 40 years or life in prison, Talley said.
On the right side of the courtroom, prosecuting attorneys Ryan Phillips and Ryan Rainwater listened as Talley spoke to the defendant. Philips told the court that the state intended to charge Leichmon as an adult. Among the law enforcement officials present were MPD Chief Todd Dew and Lt. Josh Miller.
Leichmon stated that he planned to hire his own attorney and opted to postpone his bond hearing until he had an attorney present at court with him.
“I really don’t know what this stuff means,” Leichmon said.
Phillips said the prosecution anticipates charging Leichman as an adult, noting that charges are to be filed by his office within five days after the receipt of the rest of the files on the case from the investigator’s office. He said he anticipates Leichmon’s arraignment to be held on Jan. 7, 2021. Phillips also stated that he did not anticipate any records to be sealed by the state after they have been filed.