Family of man shot to death in parking lot speak at Jefferson City Council meeting
Erika McGuire
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Friends and family of Erik Spencer II, who was shot and killed in a Jefferson City parking lot, spoke during the public comment portion of Monday’s City Council meeting, as they continue to demand that officials release the identity of the alleged shooter.
Spencer was shot and killed on Nov. 1 outside of the Old Navy on Missouri Boulevard. Bullets from the shooting shattered plate glass in the Old Navy storefront.
Three people briefly spoke at the council meeting, but made it clear they did not want to discuss the investigation but rather policy, safety and transparency.
Aci Hunter asked council members about the suspect allegedly having ties to the law enforcement community.
“Rumors that November 1st suspect has relatives to Jefferson City police and Cole County DOJ, would it be appropriate for you all to investigate this crime due to its inherit conflict of interest?”
Mayor Ron Fitzwater replied, “We’re happy to take your public comments but we’re not here to explain,”
ABC 17 News has confirmed that a state employee was questioned by police regarding the incident and released. That person is on administrative leave and has not been detained. Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson has said that person is cooperating with the investigation.
Thompson said Monday afternoon that he would not comment on the case.
Reassurance about the investigation was also addressed, as Spencer’s friends and family want the investigation to be handled properly.
“We’re not here to interfere with the ongoing investigation we’re her because people deserve assurance this process is being handled with urgency, thoroughness and integrity,” Sarah Buitrago, a friend and former co-worker of Spencer’s said.
Buitrago and Spencer’s family also continues to question safety in Jefferson City. They claim the area surrounding Old Navy and other businesses in the area do not have security cameras.
“Erik was shot and killed in the busiest commercial area in out city,” Buitrago said. “The City’s infrastructure, lights and cameras, they belong to use, this has nothing to do with the investigation, I do not feel safe and no one else should,”
“I think that even handling gun violence at a public location like that should be handled way different,’ Buitrago said. “I’m feeling like there needs to be change after what occured to Erik Spencer Junior, we don’t have any answers,”
Policies around investigations in Jefferson City were also questioned.
“We would like to know what are the investigation phases as a unit, what is the standard turn around time for finalizing an investigation before jeopardizing prosecutor and misconduct?” Hunter asked.
“Justice for Erik, he is more deserving of answers and change in this community that is very much needed and was needed before this incident and it is without a doubt needing to happen,” Buitrago said.
No charges have been filed in the case.
A peaceful march was held over the weekend in Jefferson City as the family continues to ask for transparency as the investigation moves forward.