CPD: Shooting suspect found dead with apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After a nearly nine-hour standoff Tuesday, a Columbia Police Department assistant chief said the suspect involved was found dead in the building with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

CPD Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter said Jermaine M. Burnett was found dead after Boone County Sheriff's deputies entered the building.

Hunter said the University of Missouri Police Department will conduct an investigation. He said the scene is safe for people to return to their homes.

A resident at the apartment complex told ABC 17 News that residents are being let back into their apartments.

Police used gas earlier in the day to try to get the suspect in a south Columbia shooting out of an apartment. They also returned fire after the suspect shot at them, a police official said.

Police on Tuesday were trying to reach the suspect, Burnett, in a woman's shooting death Monday in a south Columbia neighborhood.

Janet L. Jago, 72, died after the shooting on Tayside Circle in the Highland neighborhood, the Columbia Police Department said Tuesday afternoon. Staff had also blocked off the Forest Village apartment complex on South Providence Road on Tuesday afternoon.

Jago was married to Art Jago, a retired University of Missouri professor who unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Columbia City Council's Fifth Ward.

Hunter said Tuesday afternoon that two people police believe are hostages surrendered. Crisis negotiators tried to get Burnett out of the second-floor apartment, he said Tuesday afternoon.

Hunter said earlier on Tuesday that Burnett knew people at the apartment complex.

Burnett exchanged fire with officers, but no one was hurt from the exchange. Hunter said police also used gas in an attempt to get the suspect out. He has refused medical attention, Hunter said.

Hunter said the gun fired at officers by Burnett sounded like a rifle. Law enforcement had been communicating with Burnett via cellphone.

"He's told us that he's going to surrender, but he hasn't done so yet," Hunter said before 6:30 p.m.

Apartment complex management asked residents in an email to stay away. Hunter said police are helping residents get to their apartments if they're in a safe location. Officers have been working with people who live in a dangerous area to make other arrangements.

Officers responded to a robbery in progress on East Tayside Circle in the Highlands neighborhood Monday afternoon. When they arrived they found a woman with a gunshot wound and administered CPR, Toni Messina spokeswoman with the Columbia Police Department said Monday.

Police identified the suspect late Tuesday morning, which led them to the apartment complex, after surveilling him starting Monday night, Hunter said. Police released Burnett's name on

Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson said his office has reviewed search warrant applications related to the case and has been in touch with investigators.

The victim, later identified as Jago, was taken to a local hospital. It wasn't clear when she was pronounced dead.

Charges were filed against a man named Jermaine M. Burnett in another case on Tuesday. He was charged with two counts of second-degree domestic assault and second-degree property damage, stemming from an alleged incident Friday, according to Casenet.

He also had charges filed in April that included first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, first-degree property damage and resisting arrest. In that case, a motion to revoke bond was filed Tuesday.

Check back for updates as this story is developing.