University of Missouri president issues ultimatum to Columbia mayor after homecoming weekend shooting
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
University of Missouri President Mun Choi, in an email obtained by ABC 17 News, called on Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe to address violent crime, warning that if action isn’t taken, he will elevate the issue to Gov. Mike Kehoe.
Buffaloe, in response, listed actions the city government and Columbia Police Department have taken and plan to take.
Choi’s email — sent Saturday afternoon, just hours after a downtown shooting that left a bystander dead — was addressed to public officials, including Buffaloe, Columbia’s City Manager De’Carlon Seewood and Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson.
Choi claimed that crime in downtown Columbia has reached a crisis point and poses a risk for MU students, who are frequently downtown. Choi also identified one of the people injured in the Saturday morning shooting as a Stephens College student. Stephens College didn’t immediately respond to inquiries Sunday morning.
“Many community members and business leaders have shared these concerns with you. There’s been too much complacency and it’s time for you to act,” Choi wrote in the email.
Columbia police responded to the shooting just before 2 a.m. Saturday in the 900 block of East Broadway.
CPD said 23-year-old Misael Covarrubias of Fellsmere, Florida, was involved in an argument near Ninth and Broadway when he pulled out a gun and fired multiple times. He was arrested and appeared on the Boone County Jail roster Saturday evening without bond.
He is charged with three counts of assault, three counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon, CPD said in a press release Sunday afternoon.
The release said Covarrubias’ charges won’t change unless any of the victims’ life statuses changes.
The people he was arguing with were not hit. Instead, three bystanders, a man and two women, were caught in the gunfire. One of them, Aiyanna Williams, was later pronounced brain dead.
CPD said Williams remains on artificial life support as of Sunday afternoon.
Choi’s email praised the Columbia Police Department; however, Choi also asked for an “honest examination” of current policies. The email adds that University of Missouri Police Chief Brian Weimer will offer all available staff to patrol downtown.
Choi listed immediate actions that should be taken during “this period of emergency:” • More policing in downtown – give CPD the necessary resources and support. • Hiring of more security officers. • Elimination of policies and practices that attract criminals to the region. • Passing of a loitering ordinance. • Cleanup of encampments. • Prosecution to the full extent of the law for crimes.
The email was also sent to several other Columbia and Boone County officials, including Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude and Boone County Commissioner Kip Kendrick. Choi emphasized that addressing the issue would take a collective effort from city and county agencies, the university and local businesses, asking for the creation of a task force to improve public safety.
“We cannot wait to have another tragic outcome due to complacency, delays and indecision,” Choi said.
The email includes an ultimatum, stating that if no action is taken by 5 p.m. Sunday, Choi will turn to Kehoe’s office for support.
Buffaloe responded to Choi on Saturday, thanking him for the message and saying downtown safety is an issue she takes seriously. ABC 17 News obtained her response Sunday.
Buffaloe also praised the city’s efforts in public safety, adding that there have not been any shooting incidents downtown since June 8. She wrote that CPD added eight officers to night patrols, a 20% increase in staffing since last summer.
The response also mentioned the city’s plans to focus on daytime issues, including the public’s interactions with homeless people.
Buffaloe announced on Facebook the creation of a task force Saturday, requesting that Schlude be contacted for coordinating resources.
The last crime task force in the city was created over 10 years ago in 2013. The people on the task force researched for over a year before presenting their findings in 2014.
There were four main things the task force found that would lower crime rates in the city.
Make people aware of resources
Create safe spaces for youth
Create trust between law enforcement and the community
Hold high risk offenders accountable
She also called on local legislators to address systemic issues that relate to public safety.
“I would like to engage our state legislators in a conversation about gun control, since many of these incidents involve firearms — including individuals illegally in possession of them. This is an area where state-level action could provide crucial support to our local efforts,” Buffaloe said in an email.
“Keeping Columbia safe requires collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to action. I look forward to working together with our partners to ensure our community remains a safe and welcoming place for residents, students, and visitors alike,” Buffaloe’s post read.