Columbia residents comment on Saturday night’s Downtown shooting
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)
A shooting Saturday night in Downtown Columbia left people running to safety and wondering what happened. The shooting happened on East Broadway and near Hitt St. around 11:20 p.m.
Bracken Sullivan and his roommate live above the India's house restaurant downtown where the shooting happened. He said he thought someone was knocking at their door. "At first we thought it was people knocking on the door like what, what's going on. And then there was a couple of more clips fired off, then it was like oh crap, this is real, this is gun shots," said Sullivan
Columbia Police allegedly saw 51-year-old Christopher Michael Sledd waving and discharging a firearm. Columbia Police Public Information Officer Jeff Pitts said one officer exchanged gunfire with the suspect after the suspect fired shots.
Police crews on the scene also confirmed on scene no one was injured as a result of the shooting. While processing the scene, members of the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division located property damage.
Sledd surrendered with no further problems.
Bracken said the approach police used to secure the area was shocking. "That was the first time I ever seen cops have A-R's. At least six cops were boarding around the area. They were all holding A-R's. Heavy police force at least 10 to 12 cop cars all surrounding the area," said Sullivan.
Out of the six shootings downtown within the last two months. This is one of the few that a suspect has been identified. On Sept. 18, two people were injured in a shooting on N. Fifth Street.
One week after that, another shooting occurred on Broadway and Fifth. Two weeks later on Oct. 10, two shootings happened, one on Walnut and Fifth, and two people were shot on Tenth and Cherry. Just one week ago, one person was shot on North College Avenue on Halloween night.
Sullivan also told ABC 17 that although the shooting was something he never experienced, he doesn't feel unsafe living downtown. "This definitely will not stop me from living my life and feeling free. Do I not feel safe, no. Is there things to question and maybe be aware of, yes," said
Winging Out is a local restaurant downtown near the area of the Saturday's shooting. ABC 17 talked to the general manager and he said the restaurant was busy around the time of the shooting so they didn't hear much about it and the business feels safe moving forward.
Police Chief Geoff Jones said the Department continues to staff downtown with patrol officers. “In the interest of improving safety and stability at all times, we are working with all of our community partners to address safety concerns,” Jones said.
Sledd was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm, first-degree assault, first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon as well as an outstanding arrest warrant. He was remanded to the custody of the Boone County Jail.
