Cole County mom, son charged after police respond after hearing gunshots
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A mother and son are charged after police responded to a home after neighbors reported hearing gunshots on Tuesday night.
28-year-old David Rice Jr. is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, along with child endangerment, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action.
48-year-old Melissa Washia is charged with drug possession, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and child endangerment.
According to court documents, police were called to a home on Buena Vista Street on Tuesday morning for reports of gunshots.
Police said Washia told them she was smoking meth with her adult son, Rice, when they had an arguement. She then allegedly said that while in a separate room, she heard Rice fire a gun three times.
Rice then allegedly was seen running from his bedroom out of the house before returning a few minutes later, but then left again.
Police reported finding suspected meth and paraphernalia inside the home on a closet shelf. In Rice's bedroom, police said they also found a bag with cocaine, three 9mm spent casings and a box of 9mm live ammunition rounds.
An officer also found three bullet holes in the door of Rice's bedroom, according to court documents.
A 16-year-old was reported to be in the house that night and at the time of the shooting, according to police.
Jefferson City Police Department sent out an alert over email saying they were looking for a person with a gun in the area of Rumsey Lane and S. Country Club at 9:07 a.m. on Tuesday. It was quickly followed by a follow-up email saying the person was in custody.
Court documents state video showed Rice driving away from the house in a white vehicle with a black driver's side door. It was found abandoned around 8:11 a.m. Tuesday in the 2800 block of South Country Club Drive.
Rice was arrested by Jefferson City police at 9:06 a.m. in the 2200 block of Rumsey Lane.
He allegedly told police after being arrested he moved in with his mom two days before and admitted to smoking meth during the night.
Police said Rice is a convicted felon, which means he is not allowed to have a gun. Washia was on probation for separate charges.
Both are being held at the Cole County jail without bond.
