Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones and the owner of Vibez address downtown violence issues after one man was killed
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
After one man was killed during an officer involved shooting at Vibez Lounge in Downtown Columbia early Sunday morning, a community briefing was held where the owner of the Lounge exchanged words with CPD Police Chief Geoff Jones about the violence in the area.
R'Velle Fair, owner of Vibez Lounge, said Sunday that he is not taking responsibility for shootings that happen in other parking lots that are not connected to his business. "Issues don't happen on the inside of my bar, issue happens on the streets," Fair said.
Watch the full briefing in the player below.
Chief Jones says although things aren't happening inside the lounge, they're at the front door. "Do I think we can all do better, absolutely, but last night shooting happened at your front door, your door man got killed in front door and then we went over there tonight you kept asking the officers when we were going to leave because it didn't happen in your bar, but someone went into your bar after they got shot there's blood evidence in there."
Chief Jones referred to a shooting that happened at Vibez in February of 2020 when a security staff member, Tershawn Kitchen, was shot and killed outside the front door of the club.
After that shooting, Vibez released a statement raising questions about the police's actions during the shooting and the medical support of Kitchen.
Fair said he has done everything in his power to work with businesses nearby to eliminate shootings in the area.
"Tire plaza they were willing to work with me, the bank wasn't willing to work with me. I mean I'm in a situation now its like how can I keep getting blamed for stuff that's happening on the City of Columbia grounds," Fair said.
Fair also said he hasn't got help from Chief Jones and he has seen issues with officers in the past.
"A lot of the issues that we are having is the officers don't know how to communicate with the community. They aren't out talking to people, they only come around when there's an issue and they use force," Fair said.
Jones replied to the statements saying that Fair is putting the blame solely on officers, but Jones said the actions of Fair are part of the ongoing issue.
"When the officers are there and you care more about us leaving because it didn't happen inside your bar that is part of the problem," Jones said.
Several community members also said their part on the issues downtown at the briefing along with Columbia Mayor Brian Treece saying that if businesses are creating an environment where people are getting killed and hurt, they will be shut down.
