Columbia parks official: Violence at Cosmo rare

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Crime is not a common occurrence at the Columbia park where a teenager was killed this week, a city parks officials said Wednesday.

Columbia Parks and Recreation Director Mike Griggs said Cosmo Park is frequented by families and sports teams and crime is rare there. A review of 911 calls shows no reports of crime there in the past two years.

Police say Jermaine Spain, 19, and another person were shot Monday evening at the park. Spain died at the scene. Police have released few details about the shooting, but said a 15-year-old was detained on suspicion of second-degree murder, drug possession and armed criminal action.

Griggs said there are always two park rangers rotating through parks as security. Police are present at the parks as well to ensure safety and security.

Griggs, who has lived in Columbia almost his entire life and has worked for Columbia Parks and Recreation for 37 years, said such an event is almost once in a lifetime.