Boone County Sheriff’s Office believes car was shot after argument between driver, pedestrian
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office believes a shooting on Tuesday in east Columbia was the result of a disagreement between a driver and pedestrian.
According to Capt. Brian Leer, deputies responded to a shots fired call in the 1200 Block of South Sonora Aven. around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday night. When deputies arrived, they found multiple shell casings and a damaged vehicle. However, they were unable to find any additional property damage.
Leer added the Sheriff’s Office believes the shooting was the result of a possible “verbal altercation between a motorist and a pedestrian that led to shots being fired.” No arrests have been made, but the incident is still under investigation.
ABC 17 News saw deputies at the scene place at least four evidence markers halfway down the block of the street and a parked car that appeared to have its driver-side window shot out.
The owner of the car -- who wished to remain anonymous due to fear for their safety -- said he was not home when shots were fired and aside from his vehicle, the rest of his property was not damaged.
Robin Cornelison owns a duplex on Sonora Avenue and said that she returned home from a friend's house roughly 15 minutes after the incident occurred. She said her sister heard roughly six shots ring out.
Cornelison, who has been living on Sonora Avenue since 2001 says incidents like this are not common and that kids regularly play on the street.
“As far as gunshots, that’s something we never hear. I feel very safe here,” Corneison said.
Data from the MSHP shows that the Boone County Sheriff’s Office has worked on 85 gun-related crimes this year. Last year, the county worked 90.
Violent crime is also on par with last year's numbers. The Sheriff’s Office reported 76 violent crimes this year, compared to the 75 violent crimes reported in the first 11 months of 2023.
