Columbia police, park rangers patrol parks after another death in Columbia

On Friday night, 31-year old Nathan Taylor was shot in the 1800 block of McKee street, less than a block away from McKee Street Park. Police arrived to find Taylor, who had been shot, after responding to a shots heard call. He died after medical personnel arrived. This marks the 7th homicide in Columbia in 2017.

Two nights earlier, on Wednesday, police responded to a shots fired call and found two shell casings. They were located next to the park.

Police were called to the same area twice on Sunday for a shots heard call before 2 p.m., and then a shots fired call around 6 p.m. That brings the total number of gunfire-related shots on McKee Street to four in the past week.

McKee Street Park and the surrounding area are both part of the Columbia Police Department’s east strategic neighborhood. The department aims to increase community engagement with law enforcement in the area with its Community Outreach Unit.

The park rangers patrol all public parks in Columbia regularly. ABC 17 is waiting to hear back from rangers on more details of their routine.