Cole County gun violence: two Jefferson City shootings this week

Many locals said they are still very surprised by the two shootings this week in Jefferson City.

“I think it’s kinda crazy and scary for a small town,” said Jefferson City resident Susan Rogers.

In 2017, 17 crimes in Cole County involved firearms. In the first five months of 2018, January through May, 15 crimes involved a firearm according to the Missouri Uniform Crime Report.

Local Tyler Young said he is shocked.

“It’s sad. I mean it seems like it’s happening more and more across the country,” Young said. “It’s shocking, it really is, knowing people are resorting to that.”

Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler said gun violence is typically random. He said crimes of opportunity are the biggest issue especially related to stolen firearms.

“People leaving their car unlocked and leaving their houses unlocked,” Wheeler said. “If they have a weapon in their car or a computer then someone will steal it.”

He said it is a problem when a person realizes there is a certain street or neighborhood with many unlocked houses or cars.

“It’s like a honey hole for a bear,” he said. “They’re going to keep coming to that area.”

Wheeler said he thinks it has become easier to recover stolen guns.

“I think with technology it’s easier to track some of these items so it’s easier to retrieve them,” he said. “We have a way to check pawn shops now a lot easier than having to go to each one like in the old days.”

The summer months are when Wheeler said he sees more crimes of opportunity happen. He said people need to remember to lock their door and should have outdoor lights.

Wheeler also said all agencies including the Jefferson City Police Department, Lincoln University, Cole County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri Highway Patrol work together to handle crime.

“All the resources in this area are pulled into play for that,” he said. “It’s a team sport and we all work together.”