Man accused of pointing rifle at 5 youth in Jefferson City

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man was charged with a felony and several misdemeanors after he allegedly pointed a gun at five youth during a car chase on Saturday.

Cassius Bello, 21, was charged on Tuesday in Cole County with unlawful use of a weapon and five counts of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The probable cause statement says a Jefferson City police officer was flagged down by five juveniles at 10:40 p.m. Saturday on the westbound Highway 50 ramp from Dix Road. The victims claimed a man in a purple Dodge Charger started chasing them from the Olive Garden, the statement says.

The youth allegedly told police that they saw Bello point a rifle with a laser at them while making threats, the statement says.

Officers found the vehicle at the Olive Garden parking lot and Bello allegedly admitted to chasing another vehicle, but denied pointing a gun, the statement says. He allegedly told officers that he grabbed the gun after it fell on the floor of the vehicle during the chase, the statement says.