Columbia residents want better communication about downtown shootings

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After a string of shootings in Downtown Columbia, residents are curious why officials haven't been more diligent in communicating about the violence.

There have been four shootings in the past four weeks in Downtown Columbia, but some residents are only partially informed or completely in the dark about what's happening in their own town. All four shootings happened late at night or early in the morning during busy weekends.

The first shooting was on Sept. 18 on Fifth and Walnut. Two people were injured. There is no suspect.

The second shooting was on Sept. 26 on Broadway and Fifth. No injuries were reported, but police investigated for hours.

The third and fourth shootings were the weekend of the University of Missouri's homecoming. Two people were shot on Ninth and Cherry Street late Saturday night. The victims were treated by EMS and in stable condition. Police confirmed shots were also fired on Fifth and Walnut early the following morning.

University of Missouri students expressed their shock when they learned a shooting occurred close to campus without an alert issued to them from their MU Alert system.

MU student Brooklyn Behrends told ABC 17 she'd like to see better communication surrounding downtown violence.

"Usually we get MUPD Alerts, but I did not get anything," Behrends said. "I feel like there's a lot of miscommunication and there's not a lot of facts going around."

Nickie Davis, executive director of the Downtown Columbia Improvement District, said businesses and Columbia Police have been in contact about the violence.

"We have had contact with CPD," Davis said. "From there we will either set up meetings between the CPD or our businesses will simply get in contact with them directly."

ABC 17 News crews went to Downtown Columbia to gauge reactions from people to the shootings. Most people did not have a lot of information on the incidents.

"That would really help if people were made aware of the situation and what's actually going on," Behrends said.