Security guard involved in deadly new years shooting, court documents reveal

Court documents reveal that the security guard present during an altercation at Waffle House was the one who allegedly shot Anthony Warren, who later died of his injuries. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Details of the event are described in the probable cause statement for Jaylon Freelon, who is charged with tampering with physical evidence after he allegedly moved and hid a gun before officers arrived.

The document says the altercation began with an argument between two men inside the Waffle House on Vandiver drive. One man pulled out a gun, and after a struggle the second man suffered a gun shot wound to the leg. That man was later taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to the document, a security guard then entered Waffle House, ordered the men to drop the gun, and then continued to attempt to separate the two arguing men.

As the guard was working to deescalate the situation, “several patrons of the business started to encroach on [the security guard],” including Warren, according to the document.

The guard stated that he felt the oncoming patrons were a threat, “and in order to protect himself and the other customers,” the guard fired one round that struck Warren, according to the document.

Warren later died of his injury. His death is the first homicide of 2018.

Before officers arrived, Freelon allegedly took the gun that belonged to the man who was involved in the argument, exited the back door of the Waffle House and hid it in a grassy area.

Employees witnessed Freelon taking the firearm, and told officers when they arrived. The gun was later found by police.

Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight said he could not comment on the situation on Monday afternoon.

Armed security guards must obtain licenses through the city of Columbia. A guard must be at least 21 years old, have no felony convictions within ten years of applying and pass a test put together by the police department on gun use and safety. If a guard uses their weapon, they must report the circumstances to the chief of police within 24 hours, according to the rules.

Warren’s family members say they are skeptical of the security guard’s story. The funeral home handling the ceremony told the family the bullet entered Warren’s side and exited through his stomach. Warren’s sister-in-law Misty Blumer said the nature of the wound leads her to believe that Warren was leaving the Waffle House when the guard shot him, rather than encroaching on the fight.

“Why can’t he say his point on view to the family that’s grieving,” Blumer told ABC 17 News. “You know, we want answers. Everybody knows answers, but us.”

The family said they are planning a demonstration outside the Waffle House at 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.