City Launches Ceasefire Project

The Columbia Police Department announced a new partnership among local law enforcement agencies to prevent violence in the city.The “Columbia Ceasefire Initiative” was created in response to a rash of recent shootings in the city after police connected three groups to seven different shootings back to August.For the first time, Columbia police are admitting there are around three groups behind all of the shootings. They say gangs, including young people and fights over drugs are the leading reason behind the gunfire.Two of the most recent shootings happened on Quail Drive this week. Before those, there were two shootings on Election Day last week – one on West Sugar Tree Lane and one on Green Ridge Road. A total of four people were shot that day and police are still searching for a 20-year-old believed to be the gunman in at least one of those shootings.According to investigators, the police department has put together a list of names and photographs of individuals and their associates, who they believe are responsible for the shootings and murders. Police say the list was created through help from victims, witnesses, police reports, tips from CrimeStoppers and open investigations.In a release, police say the initiative hopes to “get individuals involved… in these violent crimes off the streets of Columbia and to prevent any further serious assaults or homicides.””The worst case scenario is someone ends up dead and the best case scenario is someone ends up in prison,” said Cpt. Jill Schlude.CPD’s Investigations Divisions, Traffic Unit, Vice Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, and Patrol Bureau will be working with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Anyone with tips can call CrimeStoppers at 573-875-TIPS or email Detective Jon Logan at jdlogan@gocolumbiamo.com.