Man accused of shooting at 2 people in Boonville in May, woman accused of being getaway driver
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Jefferson City man has been charged after authorities claim he shot at two people on May 9 in Boonville.
Fernando Townshend was charged on Thursday in Cooper County with first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. Janiya Rucker, of Jefferson City, was charged with being an accessory to each crime. Warrants were issued for both people on Thursday and $100,000 bonds were set. Neither were listed on the Cooper County Jail’s online roster on Thursday evening.
Townshend is accused of firing a gun at an 18 year old and 22 year old around 3 p.m. that day near the intersection of Rankin Mill Lane and Main Street. The shooting occurred after school in the area let out, so traffic was relevant in the area, the probable cause statement says.
Rucker allegedly admitted to law enforcement that she sped away in the vehicle with Townshend inside it, the statement says. She was allegedly seen by witnesses running outside the vehicle and a gun was found in the area she was seen, the statement says.
Rucker allegedly claimed Townshend tried to throw away the gun, but it did not go far, so she “must have” went outside the car to throw the gun further, the statement says. Rucker allegedly did not remember that part of the story occurring, but told law enforcement she must have done that since Townshend is paralyzed from another shooting and is not able to get himself out of a vehicle, court documents claim.
No injuries were reported.