Man charged in connection with Sunday shooting in downtown Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Boone County prosecutor has charged a Columbia man after Sunday’s shooting near Vibez Lounge.
Todd Duron Nesbitt, 28, is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Nesbitt is being held without bond at the Boone County Jail.
Police report Nesbitt was one of two suspects in a mass casualty incident.
"With the community’s help, detectives were able to quickly identify this suspect and take him into custody," said Police Chief Geoff Jones in a release. "We are thankful for the community’s assistance, and this kind of relationship needs to continue if we’re going to take care of each other and keep Columbia safe."
Columbia police responded to the area of Vibez Lounge at 3:03 a.m. Sunday when they heard shots and saw two people shooting at each other, officials said in a release.
Officers report seeing another man running south on N. Fifth Street and firing a weapon north into a crowd of people, endangering those in the path behind him. Two officers fired their service weapons, killing the man, Quillian Jacobs.
The other suspect, Nesbitt, fled from the scene on foot and was later arrested with help at an apartment building in Columbia with held from a confidential witness.
Boone County Assistant Prosecutor Spencer Smith said Nesbitt is being held without bond because of the nature of the incident.
"I mean you have five people that sustained gunshot wounds, there's one guy that is dead, so given the nature of the incident and the concerns for community safety it was appropriate that he be held with no bond," Smith said.
Although Jacobs was killed by a bullet from officers, ABC 17 News asked Smith if murder charges are being considered.
Under the state's felony murder rule, someone can be charged with murder without actually killing someone. this can happen if prosecutors show the defendant committed a felony and someone died as a result.
Smith said the state does have the ability to file additional charges as more information and new evidence comes in, but he said he is not going to comment on the likelihood of prosecutors going that route at this time.
Nesbitt also has previous convictions for resisting arrest and domestic assault. Smith said a person's criminal history can be a factor when it comes to some decisions.
"An individual's criminal history can be considered in setting bond, but it doesn't have anything to do with the charging decision," Smith said.
Nesbitt was booked into Boone County at 12:25 a.m. Monday.
