Visitation set for Jefferson City bar shooting victim
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A visitation is set for this week for one of the two victims of a deadly downtown Jefferson City bar shooting.
The visitation is scheduled for Skylar Smock from 2-4 p.m. Thursday at Freeman Mortuary in Jefferson City.
Smock and Corey Thames were killed early Saturday at J. Pfenny's Grill & Pub. Smock -- who was an employee at J. Pfenny's -- was escorting Thames out of the establishment following a fight between Thames and Damien Davis, according to a probable cause statement filed in the criminal case against Davis.
Smock and Thames were walking toward the door when Davis began shooting at and killing both men, police say.
According to the sister of Skylar Smock, he was a goofy, loving man that enjoyed being around people.
"He could walk into a room full of strangers and when he'd come out, he'd have life long friends," she said. "He was doing his job and being a hero and lost his life for someone in need."
Smock is survived by a 6-year-old daughter.
One of the mothers of Thames' children spoke about the type of man he was. He had eight children.
"He loved all of his children," she said. "He would do anything for them and would give the shirt off of his back to stranger who needed it."
According to the probable cause statement, more than one witness described Davis as having a smirk on his face as he walked away from the two men. He left the bar from the backdoor and was met by officers.
The shooting was captured on the bar's surveillance video system.
Davis is being held without bond at the Cole County Jail and has been charged with first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and illegal gun possession.
According to the probable cause statement, Davis said he was sorry for Smock's family, but not sorry for the family of Corey Thames because he allegedly pulled a gun on Davis.
Police say Davis' statement did not match the physical evidence at the scene, including the location of shell casings or the video evidence captured by the bar's cameras.
According to court documents Davis was denied a probation officer for his case because he makes too much money. However, Davis has the opportunity to appeal this
GoFundMe pages have been set up for both men's funeral arrangements. Skylar Smock's can be found here. Corey Thames' can be found here.
Smidgey Cakes, based in Jefferson City, is raising money to help Thames' mother pay for funeral arrangements for her son. All profit made from orders taken as well as smaller baked items sold will be going to the mother of Thames to help pay for his funeral costs.
