Tuesday shooting latest in long line of disturbances at Oak Towers Apartment
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.)
Residents in Oak Towers were pulled from their apartments yesterday morning after a man barricaded himself in his apartment and shot fire. However, it certainly wasn't the first time an incident at the apartment complex happened.
According to the Columbia Police Dispatch, Oak Towers have received over 77 9-1-1 calls over the past year. Some of the types of calls are listed below.
Oak Towers 9-1-1 Calls:
- 9 disturbances
- 1 Assault
- 1 Burglary
- 26 9-1-1 checks
Fear still remained throughout the halls of Oak Towers after 60-year-old John Calvert was accused of barricading himself inside of his apartment on the 700 block of Garth Avenue yesterday. Police say Calvert came out of his apartment on the 7th floor with a pipe and suspected crack cocaine.
Calvert then entered his apartment and fired five gunshots. Police arrested the suspect, with unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, possession of a controlled substance, and illegal gun possession.
"I just wanted to get away, I couldn't go nowhere. They wouldn't let us leave or anything," Columbia Resident Tony Barnes said.
Calvert was already a convicted felon which made it illegal for him to have a handgun.
The Columbia Housing Authority says they do have standards when accepting or denying an applicant. Some of those standards include no significant criminal charges within the past 5 years, good credit, and no felony history.
Court records show Calvert was convicted of felony drug possession in 1997. CHA director Randy Cole says the organization believes everyone is worthy of a second chance.
Calvert is being held without bond in the Boone County jail after appearing in court Wednesday afternoon.
