The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published April 10, 2024

Not guilty plea entered on murder charges

OSAGE BEACH – A man has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of 1st Degree murder.

On Sunday March 31 at 8:33 p.m., officers with the Osage Beach Police Department (OBPD) were dispatched to the area of 1075 Passover Road for a Disturbance in Progress and shots fired.

Upon arrival, officers found David C Davis, 22, of Eldon, MO, with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was treated on the scene and taken to the hospital by ambulance where he died.

Officers detained several subjects on the scene, and they were transported to the Osage Beach Police Department to be interviewed.

According to the OBPD, after further investigation, it is now known that Davis and a Michael P Watwood, 32, of Kaiser, MO, were sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot of Jetz Trampoline Park located at 1075 Passover Road when another subject, identified as Fernando Hutchinson, 20, of Osage Beach, MO (Editor’s note: Case Net lists him living in Eldon, MO) approached their vehicle in what police believe was an attempt to buy drugs.

As Hutchinson was at Davis’ vehicle, he reached in through the window and grabbed something and took off running in the direction of Autumn Hills apartments located on Redbud Road.

Davis and Watwood began to chase Hutchinson with both of them splitting up. Davis chased Hutchinson to the area of Kay Lynn Resort where shots were fired and Davis was struck in the chest.

After the shooting, Hutchinson ran back to his apartment where he was later located by officers after their arrival. Hutchinson declined to make a statement at that time.

After interviewing the subjects who were detained, they allegedly stated they were out of marijuana and at some point, Hutchison made comments he was going to steal some marijuana.

A handgun was recovered in Hutchinson’s apartment after officers served a search warrant.

Hutchinson was arrested and transported to the Osage Beach Police Department and later taken to the Camden County Jail.

He has been charged with Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action, with No Bond.

This is an ongoing investigation any further information that becomes available will be released via press release.

The OBPD was assisted by the Osage Beach Ambulance, Osage Beach Fire Protection District, Camden County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Mid MO Drug Task Force and Camden County Prosecutors Office.

All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.