Columbia man faces several charges after allegedly pointing gun, punching victim in face

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was arrested and faces several charges after police say he allegedly punched a victim in the face and pointed a gun at them.

Damion Daniels, 27, is charged with third-degree domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon, stealing a gun, endangering the welfare of a child and armed-criminal action. He is being held in the Boone County Jail without bond.

A bond investigation was ordered Monday during an initial court appearance at the Boone County Courthouse. Daniels appeared by video from the jail. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, while a preliminary hearing is set for 1 p.m. Thursday, May 11.

A probable cause statement says Daniels brought a pistol and a rifle to a residence on Friday and an argument occurred. Daniels allegedly punched the victim in the face and tried to pull their wig off their head. Daniels then loaded a bullet into the rifle and pointed it at the alleged victim’s face, according to the probable cause statement.

Daniels allegedly told the victim to “pick a side,” which the probable cause statement claims is in reference to “the North Side Gang or East Side Gang.” More people were at the residence and allegedly told police that Daniels then lowered the rifle, wrapped it in a blanket and left the residence.

Columbia police later found both guns about 20 minutes after the alleged incident began. The rifle’s safety switch was set to “fire,” according to the probable cause statement.

Two people interviewed with police and claimed to have seen Daniels point the gun at the victim’s face and allegedly heard him say, “choose a side.”

One of the guns was reported stolen in the National Criminal Information Center, according to the probable cause statement.