Following a deadly month of violence in Columbia, a group of men hope to use their past experience in prison as a means to mentor young people away from a life of crime. “I think that we operate in the capacity of scouts,” Mataka Askari said. “What we’re doing is coming back and saying ‘Hold
Continue Reading
Several state lawmakers heard from students and health experts about the extensive popularity of vaping products among Mid-Missouri minors and adults at a forum Tuesday. Reps. Kip Kendrick, Martha Stevens, Chuck Basye, Cheri Toalsen-Reisch and Sen. Caleb Rowden attended the Youth Community Coalition Legislative Forum at First Presbyterian Church. One Hallsville High School junior, Lydia
Continue Reading
Mizzou Esports is hoping to expand its program with the help of a new partnership. The university announced Tuesday that the program is forming a partnership with MSI, a company that has sponsored more than 20 professional gaming teams. Under the new partnership, the Mizzou Esports program will name its training facility the MSI Esports
Continue ReadingThe head of a southeast Missouri school district where Battle High School players were reportedly subjected to racist treatment said the school can find no evidence of such behavior by its players and fans. Jackson R-2 School District Superintendent John Link said the district has looked at video and spoken with parents, referees and police
Continue ReadingThe Central Missouri Humane Society is hoping to find homes for dozens of cats seized at a Boone County residence in August. The organization said in a news release Tuesday that it will hold an adoption event each day this week from noon to 6 p.m. starting Wednesday. The adoption event continues through Sunday, when
Continue Reading
Tensions were high at a press conference at Columbia City Hall Wednesday where city leaders gave an update on several shootings. Those tensions could also be felt in the community. Vernon Forbes lives in the neighborhood where 18-year-old Nadria Wright was shot and killed on Sept. 14. He said he heard the shots. Police released
Continue Reading
A third man was charged on Tuesday in connection with an alleged assault at a fraternity on the University of Missouri’s campus. Jaret F. Carlsen was the third person, along with Joseph Huber and Jared Huber, who allegedly attacked attacked a man in the parking lot of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house on Sept.
Continue Reading
Investigators say a witness told them a shooting Sunday in north Columbia could be in retaliation for a September killing, court documents show. Police arrested Daniel D. Ayers, 17, and Le’Andre J. Mitchell, 18, after the shooting on Silver Mill Drive that resulted in no injuries. It’s the latest in a string of shootings, several
Continue Reading
From Jan. 1, 2019, to Sept. 24, 2019 the Columbia Police Department received reports of 213 stolen firearms. City spokesman Steve Sapp says CPD has recovered 93 of those stolen guns. Dale Roberts, executive director of the Columbia Police Officers’ Association said there is a network of people buying and selling stolen guns in Columbia.
Continue Reading
Attorneys for a Columbia death row inmate believe a recent Supreme Court decision should not affect the status of his lawsuit. Lawyers for Ernest L. Johnson said that the 5-4 high court decision upholding Russell Bucklew’s death penalty by lethal injection does not change the trajectory of their case. Johnson’s attorneys asked the Eighth Circuit
Continue Reading
A man charged in a large gun theft at a Columbia pawn shop has a history of burglarizing businesses in Jefferson City. Alexander Mears was involved in burglaries at Las Palmas Taqueria on Ellis Boulevard and China Wok just down the road June 27, according to court documents. He allegedly had help from Dakota Blackburn
Continue Reading
Nationwide, the number of homicides is going down but that is not the case for Columbia, according to data kept by law enforcement agencies. FBI crime data show 14,123 people died across the country in homicides — a decrease of 1,072 homicides from 2017 to 2018, or 7.5%. The number of homicides involving firearms nationwide
Continue Reading
Boone County prosecutors have charged two teens after shots were fired in the 5300 block of Silver Mill Drive on Sunday. Several officers searched the area around Silver Mill and N. Burning Bush Drive shortly before 9 p.m. A CPD officer told ABC 17 News crews that gunshots were fired but did not say if
Continue Reading
Police are seeking two men after an armed robbery at McDonald’s on Stadium Boulevard. Columbia police told ABC 17 News crews at the scene that two men struck an employee with a gun at the fast food store. Authorities were called to the scene shortly after 3 a.m. Monday. A Columbia Police Department news release
Continue Reading
A shooting Sunday night continues the rash of violence in Columbia. Columbia police confirmed with ABC 17 News that shots were fired shortly before 9 p.m. near the intersection of Silver Mill and N. Burning Bush Drive. Authorities searched the area and talked to people nearby for more than an hour after the incident. One
Continue Reading
A man accused of second-degree murder in the killing of Nadria Wright was transported and booked into the Boone County Jail on Sunday morning. St. Louis County police took Javion Lawhorn-Wallace, 30, into custody on Thursday night in connection with the Sept. 13 killing of Wright, 18. Lawhorn-Wallace was then booked into the Boone County
Continue Reading
The Columbia Police Department arrested one person Sunday with charges of assault, according to a press release. Officers arrested Dengcheng “David” Chen on charges of assault and armed criminal action. Police were dispatched to House of Chow at 9:15 p.m. Saturday for a disturbance with a knife. According to the release, officers found two victims.
Continue Reading
Roots N Blues N BBQ wrapped up Sunday night, meaning many people left the festival and Columbia. Thousands of people attend the festival each year at Stephens Lake Park. Festival organizers have taken steps to spread out traffic and keep people safe. Free shuttles are available from downtown parking garages to the festival. Adam Vogt
Continue Reading
Community members gathered Saturday afternoon to remember the victims of the recent string of gun violence in Columbia. This comes after 6 people have been killed in five shootings in just over two weeks. Restoration of Life Ministries held a memorial and barbecue to remember the lives lost. One of the organizers, Wilma Blair, said
Continue Reading
A co-owner of the Roots N Blues festival said Friday that the event this year will have more security than in years past. This is Tracy Lane’s first year as co-owner of The Roots and Blues Festival in Columbia. She said she has been in events for 30 years, and said the festival has robust
Continue Reading