Victim in deadly Jefferson City shooting identified
Matthew Sanders
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Police have released the name of the man killed Saturday in a shooting outside the Jefferson City Old Navy store.
Jefferson City Police said in a news release Tuesday that Erik Spencer was the shooting victim. Two of Spencer’s family members confirmed his identity to ABC 17 News. Spencer was a graduate of Lincoln University, according to his social media profile. He died on the university’s 100th homecoming weekend.
Police were called to the scene a little before 8 p.m. Saturday. The Jefferson City Police Department has not released details about how Spencer was shot or who shot him.
Tuesday’s news release said only that investigators know the shooter’s identity and the person will not be named until the Cole County prosecuting attorney makes a decision about criminal charges.
Bullets went through the windows of the Old Navy store, which reopened Sunday.
Sarah Buitrago said she and Spencer became friends through working at the AT&T store, which is located in the same shopping plaza as the Old Navy.
Buitrago eventually left AT&T, but she and Spencer stayed close.
“We became really good friends, and I consider him to be like a brother to me,” Buitrago said.
She said she’s feeling frustrated with the lack of information on what happened, and even though more information was released Tuesday, she still has unanswered questions.
“He needs justice. Erik Spencer II deserves so much better than that, and anybody that knows him is to love him and want better for him,” Buitrago said.
On Saturday morning, Spencer was at a Lincoln University tailgate for homecoming at his alma mater the day he was killed, according to Buitrago.
“He had just went to the tailgate and was having a good time, and just trying to continue the fun with his friends,” she said. “Unfortunately, people took that from him.”
Buitrago and Spencer’s two sisters are planning a press conference for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cole County Courthouse. Buitrago said it’s one way to get answers and to let people know Spencer’s friends and family want justice.
Buitrago said Spencer was kind-hearted and would give anyone the shirt off his back.