Local law enforcement works together amid recent uptick of gun violence in Boone County

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department routinely shares information with the Boone County Sheriff's Office to investigate shootings.

Both departments are actively investigating multiple shootings over the past week, including one that killed a 31-year-old man and injured a 5-year-old girl.

Recent shootings and shots-fired incidents include:

• Saturday night: The Boone County Sheriff's Office began investigating a shooting that killed 31-year-old Sam Baldwin IV, and injured a 5-year-old girl.
  • The shooting happened in the 4300 block of West Bellview Drive off Scott Boulevard around 6:35 p.m.
  • No motives for the shooting of suspects information has been released.
  • The Sheriff's Office says this is still an active investigation.
• Wednesday night: The Columbia Police Department investigated a shots-fired call.
  • Police responded to multiple reports of shots fired in the 200 block of Pendleton Street around 8:50 p.m.
  • Officers' initial investigation led them to the 300 block of Bryant Street, where they located a scene.
  • No injuries were reported, but property damage was observed.
  • CPD said there is no suspect information to share at this time.
  • CPD says the investigation is still active.
• Thursday Morning: The Boone County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shots-fire incident.
  • Deputies responded to reports of shots being fired near the 700 block of Demaret Drive at around 2:22 a.m.
  • Sheriff's Office says they received multiple reports of shots being fired in the area.
  • Deputies located damage to the front of a house.
  • No injuries were reported, and no suspects have been identified or arrested.
  • Sheriff's Office says the investigation is still active.
• Thursday Morning: The Boone County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of shots being fired just 30 minutes after the call at Demaret Drive.
  • Deputies responded to several reports of shots being fired in the Bellview Acres Neighborhood around 3:56 a.m.
  • Deputies found several shots had been fired into a house near the 4300 Block of W. Bethany Drive.
  • No injuries were reported, and no suspects have been identified or arrested.
  • BCSO says this is still an active investigation.

"It is unknown at this time if these shoots are related to each other or to the Bellview shooting/Homicide," Sheriff's Office Capt. Brian Leer said in an email.

Leer said it is still unknown if any of the shootings the department and CPD are investigating are related.

CPD and the Sheriff's Office work closely together to share information as they continue to investigate these incidents.

"We have a good working relationship with the Columbia Police Department, and we regularly share information between agencies," Leer said. "If we have tips, statements, or other evidence to link investigation we share such information and work together to serve and protect our community."

"CPD routinely works in cooperation with the Boone County Sheriff's Office, and other law enforcement agencies," CPD spokesperson Christian Tabak said in an email. "This includes sharing information and resources as necessary to keep our communities safe."

The Sheriff's Office said they are struggling with ongoing staffing issues, "but we must still address violent crime so our staff diligently works to follow up on tips, leads, and information as they develop," Leer said.

"Our uniformed personnel regularly patrol the areas in which these shootings have occurred, and will continue to do so," Leer said. "As the investigation progress, we may implement strategic approaches to address areas of concern; however, such approaches may be covert."

CPD said it has officers patrolling Columbia day and night to, "ensure community safety."

"This includes emphasizing police presence when needed," Tabak said. "It is our policy to pursue every shooting as if it was a homicide. Our Patrol and Criminal Investigations units respond to violent crimes, identify those responsible for them, and make arrests."

Both departments are asking to residents speak up if they have information on any of these investigations or to report suspicious activities.

"Community awareness is also an invaluable tool," Tabak said. "If you see something suspicious or concerning report it."

"To really address crime we need to work WITH the public," Tabak said in an email. "We need those with information to speak up and share the information with us so we can develop suspect information and probable cause to arrest those who endanger the public and commit violence times."

Leer added the Sheriff's Office will, "continue to utilize proactive law enforcement techniques to target identified offenders," along with their continued response and investigation into violent crimes.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information regarding any of those incidents to contact Boone County Joint Communications at 573-442-6131 or 311.

CPD is asks for anyone with information to call 311 for non-emergencies and 911 for emergency situations. Or you can contact Crimestoppers at 875-TIPS to remain anonymous.