Man admits to deadly Boone County shooting, investigators say
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man admitted to fatally shooting a St. Louis man last week in the parking lot of a Boone County bar, court documents say.
Steven S. Jones, 45, was charged Sunday with being a felon with a gun. A probable cause statement says Jones admitted to shooting the 42-year-old victim outside Jake's Bar and Grill just outside Columbia last Thursday.
The victim died at a hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
The Boone County Sheriff's Office said Friday that deputies arrested Jones on suspicion of illegally having a gun.
“The person believed to be responsible for shooting and killing the victim has been identified and interviewed; however, they have not been arrested or charged for causing the death of the victim in this case,” the sheriff’s office wrote on its Facebook page. “Due to extenuating circumstances that need to be further investigated, we will not be providing further information at this time specific to why the shooter has not been arrested or charged for causing the death of the victim.”
The sheriff’s office wrote that an argument “over payment for beverages” preceded the shooting. The argument “led to a series of events that culminated in the victim being shot outside the parking lot” outside of Jake’s Bar and Grill.
Jones allegedly told investigators that he shot a pistol at the victim, according to a probable cause statement.
The statement says Jones had four warrants out at the time of his arrest -- three misdemeanors and a fourth warrant for being a felon with a gun.
If Jones is convicted in this case, former Cole County Prosecutor Bill Tacket says a prior felony enhances the punishment.
"It doesn't affect the charging decision necessarily, as much as it extends the time in prison," said Tackett.
George Brand, a local attorney and professor at the University of Missouri School of Law and Trulaske College of Business says more charges could come from this.
"The prosecution could still be investigating, there's a lot of witnesses that were here, if there's more evidence to look through," Brand said. "There's a lot to look at here, perhaps there's a self-defense angle here, perhaps the other person had a weapon or something else, or played a role in provoking the attacker."
Jones was in the Boone County Jail on Monday on a no-bond warrant. An initial appearance set for Monday afternoon was moved to Tuesday.
Brand says the recommended time in prison for Jones' current charge, if convicted, is between five and 15 years and a fine of no more than one thousand dollars.
"Both of his prior convictions for the assault and the felon in possession of a firearm already have this charge upgraded from a Class C to a Blass B felony if other charges are brought related to the homicide, then yes, there's absolutely a possibility that his prior felonious convictions could result in upgraded charges as well," Brand said.
According to Captain Brian Leer with the Sheriff's Office, the department is still investigating but has identified the person believed to be the only shooter.
