Sheriff continues investigation of shooting inside Cole County Jail

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler said his investigators were working Tuesday to determine how a shooting occurred inside the jail Monday.

Wheeler said in a news release Tuesday that about 20 law enforcement personnel from various agencies conducted a search of every cell in the jail.

"No other weapons were found," Wheeler said in the release. "We are still interviewing inmates, reexamining video, and, of course, reviewing procedures."

Wheeler has not identified the shooting victim, but family members of 34-year-old Brandon McNeese of Jefferson City say he was the man shot Monday night.

McNeese's wife, mother and sister said Tuesday that Brandon called them from inside the jail and said he was shot from behind around 5 p.m. Monday. The bullet went through his arm and grazed his torso, McNeese's family members said. 

A federal grand jury indicted McNeese in 2018 on drug and firearm charges. He has been in the Cole County Jail since September 2018.

The Cole County Sheriff's Department did not confirm any of the information provided by McNeese's family.

The Jefferson City Police Department, Moniteau County Sheriff’s Department, Callaway County Sheriff’s Department, Lincoln University Police Department and Cole County EMS helped with the search of the cells, Wheeler said.

"We appreciate all of the agencies that called and offered assistance," Wheeler said. "I would also like to thank the Cole County Sheriff’s Department Staff. Given a bad situation, they remained calm, stayed focused and continued to be professionals."

Wheeler declined to answer questions Tuesday morning.