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Second man charged in fatal shooting at Lake of the Ozarks

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Posted at 10:19 AM, Jul 30, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-30 11:19:52-04

LAKE OZARK, Mo. — Two men from Jefferson City have been charged in the death of a man at the Lake of the Ozarks over Memorial Day weekend.

Craig Hawkins Jr., 23, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the May 29 death of Vonza Watson, 27, at the Lazy Gators entertainment venue near the Lake.

Chad Brewer, 29, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in Watson's death. He also faces two drug charges.

Investigators allege Watson, a rapper and visual artist known as VNZA, was killed during a fight involving several people.

Court documents allege Hawkins hit Watson several times during the fight. Based on video obtained from the scene, authorities believe Brewer fired a shot during the fight that hit Watson in the chest, The Jefferson City News-Tribune reports.

Watson grew up in Jefferson City and Michigan and had most recently been living in the Kansas City area.

For jurisdictions that utilize the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline, anonymous tips can be made by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com.

Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.