Large law enforcement presence in Southwest Columbia
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Several Boone County Sheriff’s deputies were seen in the 4300 block of W. Bethany Drive in Southwest Columbia on Saturday.
An ABC 17 News reporter on scene observed law enforcement putting up crime scene tape. The reporter also saw at least eight evidence markers placed on scene.
The reporter also saw an MU Healthcare vehicle and around eight Boone County Sheriff’s vehicles.
Crime scene tape was later removed at around 4:17 p.m. and put up around homes at 4337 and 4439 W Bethany Drive. Crime scene tape was taken down at around 4:32 p.m.
Law enforcement also put up at least five evidence markers on what appeared to be holes in two homes.
Neighbors nearby told another ABC 17 News reporter that they heard several shots fired and heard an argument around 2 p.m.
“We usually hear fireworks and stuff out here a lot, but it’s sort of that game of is it fireworks or is it gunshots? This time it was just right in front of the house. Looks like they for the spot right across the house from us,” neighborhood resident Corey Sandoval said.
He said he was at work when he got a call from his fiancée, who said she heard eight distinct shots.
Sandoval’s neighbor, Laura Whitman, has two kids, one who is in high school and another in elementary school. She said they and her husband were watching TV when they heard the shots and called 911.
“When I called 911, they were ‘OK, from that address, there are a couple other callers.’ So we just stood outside waiting. We told the boys to stay inside,” Whitman said.
Whitman said she heard screaming after the shots, almost like the people involved were arguing.
Whitman and Sandoval both said the neighborhood is usually quiet, although crime happens in the surrounding areas.
“I wish it would stop,” Sandoval said. “You know, gotta crack down on these people and stop being polite, because we can either be polite or we can be safe.”
Whitman said she is a little scared because her kids’ exposure to events like a potential shooting.
“It’s getting a little closer to home every time. So it’s like, why is this happening? Why does it keep happening?” Whitman said.
ABC 17 News has reached out to the Boone County Sheriff’s office.
This is a developing story.