Violent crimes task force investigates gun violence weeks after expanding
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A violent crimes task force is continuing its work in Columbia three weeks after city leaders announced it was expanding.
The task force is being staffed by Columbia police officers, MU police officers, ATF agents and the Boone County sheriff's deputies.
John Ham with the Kansas City Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said communication between each of the departments has been an important part of the expansion.
He said daily communication is especially helpful in violent crime investigations where things move quickly.
"Members of the violent crimes task force have been out on several shootings already this year. Incidents involving firearms and those investigations obviously are ongoing," Ham said.
Columbia has had at least six shots fired incidents since the beginning of 2020.
That includes shots fired on Business Loop 70 on Sunday where gunfire struck another vehicle. On the same day, police also investigated an armed robbery.
Ham did not say whether the task force helped in either investigation but said the types of crimes it would help investigate remains fluid.
"Our mission at the end of the day is to reduce violent firearms-related crime. Right? To find those who are using firearms in violent crime and hold them accountable for their actions," Ham said.
"At the end of the day, it's a very small component of our populations that are involved in violent crime," Ham said.
He said the task force is also investigating several violent instances from 2018.
"I think what you'll see in the coming months are prosecutions or some cases being submitted for prosecution, likely at both the state and federal level," he said.
Ham said it will take more than three weeks to see a decrease in gun violence in the Columbia area.
"One of the things that we're going to be very strategic about is who this violent crime task force has their sights set on. You know, a lot of the violent crime that we see in Columbia has ties to other parts of the state," he said.
He said having the different agencies working together helps them investigate more easily in different jurisdictions.
Ham encouraged people with information about Columbia shootings to contact the ATF, Crime Stoppers or the Columbia police department, saying any little bit of information can help.
