Jury seated, trial begins in Holts Summit deadly shooting
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The state is set to present more witness testimony Tuesday as the jury trial for a deadly 2025 Holts Summit shooting continues.
A 12-person jury was picked Monday to decide the fate of 38-year-old Heather Smith, who allegedly shot and killed 37-year-old Kara Dills at Hunter Lane Apartments in April 2025.
Smith is facing charges of second-degree murder, child endangerment, armed criminal action and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon.
Smith claims the shooting was in self-defense. It followed a tense situation between Smith and Dills’ family in the apartment’s parking lot after children who were family members of Smith and Dills got into an altercation while riding bikes.
Following a confrontation between Smith and Dills, Dills allegedly pistol-whipped Smith and walked away. When Dills hit Smith, the gun went off, grazing a man on his head. Smith then allegedly shot Dills in the stomach, killing her.
The prosecution alleged during opening statements that before the confrontation, Smith initially pointed a gun at both Dills’ mother and boyfriend.
Video surveillance showed Smith threatening witnesses with a pistol before the shooting.
This is an ongoing story.