Records show 7 shell casings recovered at site of Jefferson City shooting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Halloween party at a Jefferson City event venue ended with reports of gunfire early Saturday morning, leaving a vehicle damaged by a bullet and attendees rushing to get out of the building, according to police and a DJ who was working the event.

A press release from the Jefferson City Police Department states officers responded to reports of gunshots to Mel’s Café at 2411 Industrial Dr. shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday.

The release states there was a large event with “several hundred individuals." Mel’s Cafe’s Facebook page states the business closes to the public at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays. The cafe also offers private rentals, according to its social media.

A manager with Mel’s Café directed questions about the incident to the police department. Jefferson City Police Chief Eric Wilde said the department has no new information about the incident. 

Dispatch records obtained through a public records request provide additional details about the police response. Officers reported locating seven shell casings in the roadway around 2:41 a.m.

Dispatch notes also indicate a woman suffered a possible dislocated knee during the incident. EMS was requested but later determined to no longer be needed.

The records also note bullet holes in at least one vehicle at the event.  

The event was advertised as a Halloween party titled “Nightmare on Pluto.” The event page stated attendees had to be at least 21 years old and that security was “strictly enforced.”

Cameron Duncan, who performed as a at the event, said he initially wasn't sure whether he heard a gunshot or if one of his speakers blew out. Duncan said the crowd began pushing toward one side of the venue after people apparently spotted a gun. He said several people fell as attendees rushed to get away.

Duncan said he was pushed to the ground but was not injured. He later noticed one of his speakers had broken.

Duncan, who said he has organized events for years, said he had never experienced anything like the incident at one of his own events.

He said he believes additional security and staffing could help prevent similar incidents at future events.