Man arraigned on suspicion of murder in Saturday's shooting in Sikeston

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A man was arraigned Monday on suspicion of the murder of a Sikeston, Mo., woman early Saturday.

Brandon Antwuan Lane, 29, was arraigned in Division II of New Madrid County Circuit Court on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action. He is charged in the death of Nikia Latrice Williams, 28, who was found shot in the upper torso about 1 a.m. Saturday.

According to a news release issued by the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, officers were dispatched to Lane's residence at 902B Montgomery St. in reference to a gunshot. From the front door, officers could see a man sitting on a couch inside the residence. Next to him was a woman slumped over with blood on her shirt.

"Officers went inside and discovered a handgun on the floor near the couple," according to Sgt. Jim McMillen, public information officer. "They detained the male subject and tried to give aid to the female."

The recovered handgun was a 9mm pistol, according to the probable-cause affidavit.

The woman, who was unresponsive and not breathing, was taken by ambulance to Missouri Delta Medical Center for treatment. She was later pronounced dead by New Madrid County Deputy Coroner Ralph Barnwell.

"At this point in the investigation, it is believed a domestic disturbance between the couple led to her being fatally shot," McMillen stated.

Williams' 4-year-old daughter told officers her mother and Lane were arguing before the shot "and that her mommy hid in the closet to get away from him," according to the probable-cause affidavit. The affidavit also details Lane's interview at DPS headquarters, during which he told officers he would tell them what happened if they called his mother.

While on speaker phone, Lane told his mother he killed Williams and that they got into an argument over whether to go out or stay home, according to the probable-cause statement. After Williams put the children to bed, she came out of that area with the gun, Lane said. A struggle followed, and he said he pushed the button to release the clip and the clip fell on the floor. Lane told officers he and Williams continued to struggle and the gun went off. According to Lane, Williams stepped back, sat down on the couch and then said "I am hit." Lane said that is when he called 911.

An autopsy was set to be conducted today. Lane remains in custody in the New Madrid County Jail with no bond. He is set to reappear in court April 23.

Assisting Sikeston DPS in the investigation was the SEMO Major Case Squad.