Columbia man charged after allegedly pulling out gun during argument at business

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors after he allegedly pulled out a gun during an argument at a business.

William Smarr, 39, was charged on Thursday in Boone county with unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and two counts of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.

The probable cause statement says Smarr dropped off an employee at a business in the 3900 block of Peachtree Drive, a business area just off of Nifong Boulevard.

While at the business, Smarr got into an argument with an employee, the statement says. Both people are described as being “unfriendly acquaintances.”

A manager was alerted about the argument and the manager told Smarr to leave the area, the statement says. Smarr allegedly then brought a rifle from his vehicle and pointed it at a victim, court documents say.

The victim pushed the barrel of the gun away from himself and he, Smarr and another employee fought over the gun, the statement says. Smarr ended up with the gun, but he left the area.

Two employees of the business had “minor cuts” on their hands, police wrote. Police reviewed video footage of the incident.