Court documents describe events leading up to Columbia police shooting arson, threat suspect
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Court documents filed on Monday, but not available to the public until Tuesday morning, lay out what led up to police shooting an arson and assault suspect in Columbia on Christmas Day.
Marc Lucas faces seven crimes for a string of incidents across south and east Columbia on Christmas that led to officers Tasing and shooting him at a Break Time convenience store on East Stadium Blvd. Lucas is charged with four felonies, including arson, armed criminal action and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. He faces another three misdemeanors for trespassing and two counts of fourth-degree assault.
Court documents claim it all started at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel at Grindstone and Highway 63. Firefighters were called at 9:24 a.m. for a fire in a room rented to Lucas. Police said the fire marshal reported a couch was found on fire in the room, and a "torch styled lighter" was found near it. Investigators believe the scorches to the couch were intentionally set. Video surveillance allegedly showed Lucas leaving the hotel shortly before the fire call.
About 30 minutes later, police responded to the Holiday Inn Express, where Lucas allegedly tried to get another hotel room but was denied. Documents state that he allegedly got into a fight with employees.
Police said a victim reported Lucas was acting erratically, according to documents.
"[Victim 1] heard Lucas repeating religious comments and speaking in a circular pattern, and did not answer any questions victim 2 asked Lucas," documents state.
Investigators said this is when Lucas allegedly walked up to the front counter and pulled a black handled pocket knife and threatened the employees.
Court documents state that Lucas was seen leaving the hotel and going to the Break Time gas station across the street.
The victim at the Holiday Inn saw police at the gas station, the statement said, and told them Lucas was behind the store. Lucas eventually came inside the store, and he allegedly blamed the victim for calling the police and pulled out the knife again. Police said the victim threw snacks at Lucas before running out of the store while police entered. The victim later told officers he heard a Taser and gunshots as he left the store.
Court documents do not provide additional details about the actual conversation between Lucas and officers.
Officers found a butane lighter torch outside the gas station, believed to have been left by Lucas, according to police.
He is in the custody of the Columbia Police at the hospital after undergoing surgery following the shooting. No bond was set for Lucas.
