Police continue investigation of weekend shooting at Cosmo Park
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Despite a shooting over the weekend at Cosmo Park, data from the Columbia Police Dispatch log shows that despite a high volume of calls, violent incidents are down.
Two people are hospitalized following a shooting late Saturday night at Cosmo Park, where police say a large gathering took place.
Columbia police responded to the park around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and found a man in critical condition and a woman in serious condition, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Witnesses said the gathering began as a party before escalating into a shootout.
On Monday, officers returned to the scene to continue their investigation. Police focused much of their search around a large picnic shelter and surrounding soccer fields. Investigators were seen collecting evidence, taking photographs and using a K-9 to aid in the search.
Columbia Parks and Recreation confirmed the event organizers did not reserve the shelter for Saturday night’s gathering. As the scene cleared, officers reportedly stopped and searched vehicles, causing long lines as attendees attempted to leave the park.
According to dispatch logs, Cosmo Park has been the subject of 54 police calls so far this year, with 23 of those coming in the past month-and-a-half. During the past year, there have been 236 calls to the park, but only four have resulted in police reports, including Saturday’s shooting.
Of the 236 calls to Cosmo Park, 142 have been for area checks. Other incidents of note include 16 check subject calls, which included Saturday night’s shooting, seven suspicious vehicles, six suspicious incidents and two instances of disturbing the peace, which also included Saturday night.
This comes after the parks saw 77 during the first four months of 2023.
While police have not released any suspect information, the investigation remains ongoing. Cosmo Park has been the site of previous shootings, including one in October 2023 during another large gathering and a fatal shooting in 2020 that left Jermain Spain dead.
Despite its history, recent data shows a decline in violent incidents at the park over the last year.
The City of Columbia currently has job postings for a Park Safety Supervisor and park security staff. Columbia Parks and Recreation said Columbia Police are responsible for overseeing park security operations.
ABC 17 News has reached out to the Columbia Police Department for comment.
