CPD releases statement after January shooting of Jordan Pruyn ruled justified by Audrain County Prosecutor

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) 

The Columbia Police Department issued a press release Monday night after two officers' decision to shoot Jordan Pruyn in January was ruled to be justified.

Police said in January that Jordan Pruyn, 28, was shot and killed after engaging in the standoff for several hours with authorities. The standoff happened in the 4200 block of Clark Lane.

The names of the officers who shot Pruyn were not named. Officers first allegedly hit Pruyn with a bean bag, but it had no affect, according to CPD spokesman Christian Tabak in January.

"On March 20, 2023, I received a copy of Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger’s decision relating to events that occurred when Columbia Police officers intervened to protect members of the public and themselves from an individual armed with a knife. In that encounter, officers discharged their firearms. Jordan Pruyn, 28, of Columbia suffered fatal injuries during the incident,” CPD Chief Geoff Jones said in the release.

The press release states an investigation was conducted by the Department’s Internal Affairs Unit and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Shellabarger was appointed special prosecutor at the request of the Boone County prosecuting attorney.

The release states Shellabarger said the officers’ use of lethal force was "justified and proper." He considers the case closed, according to the press release.

CPD said it is not aware of the results of any ballistics investigation or autopsy.

According to Jones in January, the officers involved in the shooting have had experience in the police department. One officer has roughly 18 years of department experience, the other has roughly four.

After hours of engaging in the standoff, investigators said at a January press conference that Pruyn rushed at officers with a knife. He was told to stop and drop the knife but didn't. He allegedly then ran at police "in a threatening manner" and was shot and killed by two officers.

Court documents said Pruyn had locked the woman out of the home after she came back from a walk. She was eventually let back inside by another man. From there, Pruyn allegedly grabbed the woman and pulled her to the ground. She ran outside and Pruyn began to chase her.

According to officials, officers told Pruyn to drop his weapon and get on the ground. Pruyn threw a gun on the ground and ran inside.

This comes after CPD released select footage of the night of another officer-involved shooting that killed Quillan Jacobs on Nov. 14, 2021.

Area groups such as Hold Como Accountable and Race Matters, Friends have asked for the investigation into what happened that night to be reopened, citing inconsistencies.

This story is developing.