Columbus teen shot dead in early morning shooting

Eagle Lake teenager, Houston man and juvenile charged in connection to killing

Shots were fired in the early hours of the morning Saturday, Jan. 18, in Columbus, resulting in the death of a local teenager.

19-year-old Blake A. Burton, a Columbus resident, was pronounced dead at the Columbus Community Hospital after being struck by multiple rounds, according to an initial report made by the Columbus Police Department.

Columbus P.D. responded to a call that a man had been shot around 1 a.m. near 1100 Walnut St.

Nearly two hours later around 2:55 a.m., Colorado County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a vehicle they believed to be involved in the shooting.

In the vehicle were 17-year-old Eagle Lake resident Kristopher C. Avila, 21-year-old Gasaan Young-Johnson, a Houston native, and an unnamed juvenile.

Initially, both Avila and Young-Johnson were arrested by CCSO deputies on unrelated charges. After further investigation Avila, Young-Johnson and the juvenile were all charged with murder for their alleged involvement in the shooting by the Columbus Police Department.

Columbus P.D. are actively investigating this case. Additional details to come as more information becomes available.