Man accused of firing gun during fight in Jefferson City

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Prosecutors charged a Jefferson City man in connection with a weekend shooting.

Court documents said that the shooting happened after 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Jefferson Street.

According to investigators, Shaheem Bates fired a gun in front of Tiger's Den during an altercation in a large crowd of people.

Court documents said several people ran from the scene or tried ducking out of the way. Officers said they saw Bates firing the gun before he jumped into a silver vehicle leaving the scene.

Police stopped the vehicle at the intersection of Madison and Ashley Streets. Officers said they found Bates in the backseat and a gun on the driver's side rear floor board. The gun's rounds brand matched the spent shell casings found at the scene, according to documents.

Documents said that Bates initially denied any involvement and that he was leaving at the time the shooting happened.

Investigators said Bates later admitted to firing a gun. He said that two men pointed guns at him and fired first. He also admitted to being high and under the influence of alcohol, according to documents.

Police said that no one was hurt in the shooting but that there was damage to a vehicle and two buildings.

Bates is charged with unlawful use of a weapon.

Online court records did not list an attorney for Bates.