Man accused of pointing gun at Jefferson City Dollar General shoppers indicted by federal grand jury

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was accused of using a gun to threaten several people at the Madison Street Dollar General in Jefferson City has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Willie Banks, 28, of Jefferson City, is now charged in federal court with being a felon with a gun on Dec. 21. Information on Casenet shows he pleaded guilty on March 3 in Cole County to unlawful use of a weapon and illegal gun possession. He is being held at the Cole County Jail. An entry of appearance and withdrawal of counsel was filed by the state on Wednesday.

Police were called at 11:35 a.m. Dec. 21, 2025, after Banks allegedly pointed a gun at several people, court documents in previous reporting say. Officers found him while he was running away from the store, the statement says. Two witnesses allegedly told police they saw Banks outside the Dollar General with a gun, the statement says.

Police found a bag and with a 9 millimeter handgun and Banks’ ID, the statement says.