Crime Archives

Boone County Sheriff’s Office warns residents after AI swatting call

July 19, 2026 10:39 AM Alison Patton

A scam that makes people believe their loved ones are in danger using artificial intelligence has hit Boone County, and the sheriff’s office is warning people after a resident reported a call.

According to a Facebook post, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said the victim received a call Friday that showed their daughter’s contact name and number. The caller allegedly had the daughter’s voice and told the victim she had been kidnapped at gunpoint before another voice demanded money, essentially asking for a ransom.

Man arrested after shots fired in Columbia, one person injured

July 19, 2026 4:13 AM Alison Patton

A 26-year-old man was taken to the hospital with minor injuries early Sunday morning after shots were fired at a Columbia apartment complex.

CPD considering new drone program if proposed public safety sales tax is approved

July 17, 2026 8:10 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police and Fire departments held their final scheduled Public Safety Sales Tax meeting Friday, making one last push to convince voters to approve a 1% public safety sales tax during the Aug. 4 election. The meeting at Daniel Boone Regional Library marked the sixth and final public session held across

Man accused in Ash Street garage crash charged with DWI

July 17, 2026 2:42 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ A man who was arrested after a vehicle crashed into a garage on Thursday morning on West Ash Street in central Columbia has been charged with a misdemeanor and a felony. Max Pope, 20, of Jefferson City, was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and felony leaving the scene of an accident.

Randolph County deputy involved in shooting; MSHP names man shot

July 17, 2026 10:07 AM Gabrielle Teiner, Melissa Houston, Ryan Shiner

HUNTSVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the man shot by a Randolph County deputy Friday morning. The shooting happened at a mobile home park off County Road JJ at around 7:40 a.m. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a deputy was involved, and that the MSHP Division of Drug and Crime Control

Illinois man accused of setting comforter on fire at Audrain County hotel parking lot

July 17, 2026 1:20 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An Illinois man was charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors after he allegedly assaulted someone in an Audrain County parking lot and set a comforter on fire on Thursday morning. Edwin Javier Mejia-Espinosa, of Decatur, Illinois, was charged in Audrain County with knowingly burning or exploding, third-degree assault and three misdemeanors:

Eldon police detective pleads guilty to misdemeanor DWI

July 17, 2026 12:12 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An Eldon police detective pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving while intoxicated about a week after he was charged. Luke Gatlin, of Kaiser, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Miller County and was ordered to pay a $640.50 fine and court costs. He was charged on July 9. Court documents in previous reporting indicate

The District to hold off on presenting letter for Columbia ‘urban camping ordinance’ until next month

July 17, 2026 11:08 AM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A press release from The District states that it will hold off on presenting its letter supporting an “urban camping ordinance” to the Columbia City Council until Aug. 17. A letter expressing support for the proposed ordinance was signed by nearly 70 downtown business owners and organizations. The District Executive Director Nickie

Man charged in 2000 Columbia murder case to be in court for counsel status hearing

July 17, 2026 5:25 AM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man charged in connection with a 26-year-old Columbia murder case is set to be in a Boone County Courtroom Friday afternoon. Sentrell Wilson, 45, of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, is charged with first-degree murder for the 2000 death of University of Missouri student Candace Richie. Wilson was arrested in South Carolina

Callaway County deputy shoots dog while serving warrant

July 16, 2026 4:44 PM Ryan Shiner, Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Callaway County deputy shot a dog on Tuesday while serving a warrant near Auxvasse. The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office announced in a Thursday social media post that Deputy Zach Hubbard shot a dog on Tate Drive near Auxvasse. The sheriff’s office showed body camera footage of the two responding deputies that

Sheriff’s Office: Man shot dead after breaking into Miller County home on Monday

July 16, 2026 5:19 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Miller County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting from Monday that left a 35-year-old man dead. The identity of the shooter and victim have not been released. The press release from the sheriff’s office says it was called at 6:30 p.m. Monday to a residence on Big Oak Lane near Brumley

Lawsuit filed in federal court over new Missouri hemp law

July 16, 2026 3:26 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A lawsuit was filed on Thursday in federal court that challenges Missouri’s recently passed hemp restrictions. Gov. Mike Kehoe on April 23 signed House Bill 2641 into law, which effectively banned the sale of THC seltzers and other intoxicating hemp products at convenience stores, bars and restaurants. It would require those products

Former DESE employee files lawsuit after allegedly being fired over Charlie Kirk meme

July 16, 2026 1:40 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A lawyer who worked for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has filed a lawsuit against its commissioner. Lindsey Phoenix, of Columbia, filed a lawsuit against Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger on Monday, claiming retaliatory termination and that her First Amendment rights were violated. The petition alleges that after the shooting

Holts Summit man charged with statutory rape, sexual abuse

July 16, 2026 12:58 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Holts Summit man was charged with two felonies after he was accused of sexually abusing a child on July 13 in Cole County. Fernando Yordi, 23, was charged with first-degree statutory rape of a person younger than 14 years old and first-degree sexual abuse of a victim younger than 14 years

Woman charged after allegedly breaking into residence, pepper-spraying victim

July 16, 2026 12:26 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A woman was charged with multiple felonies after she and other suspects allegedly broke into a residence on Whitegate Drive on Wednesday and pepper-sprayed a victim. La’Jaya Robinson, 20, was charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree robbery, second-degree assault and third-degree assault. She is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.

Moberly 911 can now be sent text messages

July 15, 2026 6:09 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) People who need first responders for an emergency in Randolph County can now send a text message to 911, according to a Wednesday press release from Moberly Joint Communications. “’Call if you can, text if you must’ is the golden rule when contacting emergency services,” 911 Director Shelby Creed was quoted in

Columbia man charged after stolen gun allegedly found in apartment

July 15, 2026 12:44 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man has been charged with multiple felonies after authorities claim he stole a gun and possessed more than the legal limit of marijuana. William Haynes Jr., 33, was charged on Tuesday with delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and stealing a gun. He

Letter shows list of downtown Columbia businesses that support ‘urban camping ordinance’

July 15, 2026 11:49 AM Sutton Parker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s Downtown Community Improvement District sent a letter requesting the City Council to develop an enforceable “urban camping ordinance.” CID Executive Director Nickie Davis told ABC 17 News on Tuesday about the letter being sent to the council and the number of businesses that signed in support. She said it is expected

Moberly man found guilty of murder is back in jail after arrest by SWAT team

July 14, 2026 1:18 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A former Moberly police officer who was found guilty of murder in June for his role in a 23-year-old woman’s death is back in jail after his bond was revoked. David “Kip” Heyde, 69, of Moberly, was found guilty on June 26 of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Bailey Scott.

Man sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in overdose case

July 14, 2026 5:52 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Monday after he pleaded guilty to several felonies in connection with two overdose deaths in 2023. Marcus Larkins, 21, pleaded guilty to second-degree drug trafficking, tampering with evidence and four counts of unlawful use of a weapon. He previously faced additional