Columbia officials ask for public input following violent weekend

KMIZ on April 15, 2025

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia is recovering from a chaotic weekend of multiple shootings that left at least five people hurt. These shootings occurred across the city on Maguire Boulevard., East Broadway and at Cosmo Park.

The city last year made efforts to improve officer retention and made the city’s in-house police academy. Funds were also used to build the city’s Flock camera system and NIBEN weapon identification system. CPD will also be rolling out a crime dashboard in the summer that will give real-time updates on crime statistics in the city.

For further preventative measures, the city is asking the public to come forward with concerns and tips on crime and the city founded the Office of Violence Prevention.

Mayor Barbara Buffaloe added that she plans to move city funds to where problem areas occur. Community input and observations will help pinpoint problem areas faster and more accurately.

“So over the weekend, they estimated maybe 500 people were at the park,” Buffaloe said. “So from my knowledge, only four are willing to talk with our police department and so we really need the community to show up, you know, if you want to be anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers and give your tips that way.”

Office of Violence Prevention administrator D’Markus Thomas-Brown agrees that crime has become alarming in the city, but said it is expected with a growing population and constructive solutions and ideas from the community are key for change.

Thomas-Brown has community events like block parties are in the works to give people the opportunity to bridge the gap between city leaders and residents. He also plans to connect with community groups for grant opportunities.

“How do we collaborate and convene a group where we have neighbors and the police talk and we can say, ‘Hey, this is a need.’ And then being able to look at the root cause of that,” he said.

Dimetrious Woods the Co-owner of Essentialz Neighborhood Bodega said that he’s had to scale back his hours from 1:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. due to the risk of violence at night. Woods added that as a business owner, he’s open to customer input for ways to improve safety.

“Columbia is a beautiful place, but after 1 a.m., I would think that would be the cutoff time for civilians and anyone that will want to be safe anywhere,” Woods said. “If we all work together, citizens and business owners alike, whether you’re open late at night or not, it’s things that we can do to make our environment much more safe and pleasant and inviting for our customers.”

To contact the Office of Crime Prevention with tips or your own personal experiences, you can reach Thomas-Brown at D’markus.thomas-brown@como.gov.

Man grazed by bullet in Holts Summit shooting charged with misdemeanor

KMIZ on April 15, 2025

Nia Hinson

EDITOR’S NOTE: The suspect’s age has been corrected.

HOLTS SUMMIT, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who allegedly attempted to hit a deputy at the scene of a deadly shooting on Sunday is facing a misdemeanor assault charge.

Thomas Jones, 71, of Holts Summit, was charged with fourth-degree assault on Monday. Jones is accused of trying to hit a deputy in the face, and failing to listen to deputies’ commands while on scene. He is being held at the Callaway County. A court date has not been set.

Jones was one of three people shot at the Hunter Lane apartments Sunday afternoon in Holts Summit. The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting as a homicide.

The probable cause statement says Jones was grazed in the head by a bullet and refused medical treatment, but remained on scene for the investigation. Jones allegedly attempted to make contact with the deceased woman’s boyfriend on scene, despite being told several times by deputies not to, court documents say.

He allegedly told deputies on scene that the person he was trying to speak with had pistol-whipped him. He also allegedly threatened to shoot the person in the head, if they came to his house, the statement says.

Jones allegedly told a deputy to “shut up” and swung his arm across the deputy’s face after the deputy attempted to move him away from the scene, court documents say.

A woman later died in the shooting after being taken to an area hospital. A second person was also shot and taken to a hospital. Deputies were called to the area around 3:30 p.m. after receiving 911 calls with reports of a shooting. The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office says they believe the shooting was sparked by an argument.

The sheriff’s office said Sunday night that a person had been detained for questioning.

“At this point, there is nobody in custody. The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office continues the investigation. This investigation is still ongoing,” an email sent to ABC 17 News Monday afternoon said. “We are still making contact and or recontact with witnesses, looking over digital evidence and wait on forensic evidence.”

Spokeswoman Crystal Kent told ABC 17 News at the scene on Sunday that all individuals involved in the incident have been identified and located. Due to the ongoing investigation, their names are not being released at this time.

Audrain County man accused of kidnapping woman on Saturday morning

KMIZ on April 15, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Audrain County man has been charged with a felony and multiple misdemeanors after he allegedly kidnapped a woman in Mexico, Missouri, on Saturday morning.

Nathan Sommer, 40, was charged with first-degree harassment and three misdemeanors: Third-degree kidnapping, fourth-degree assault and second-degree sexual misconduct. A hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Audrain County Courthouse.

The probable cause statement says that a woman was at a gas station around 1 a.m. Saturday and Sommer asked her for a cigarette and began talking to her. Sommer allegedly told her that he lost his phone and asked her to call it in order to find it in his car. But, the phone rang while it was in his pocket, the statement says. The victim does not know Sommer, court documents say.

Sommer then allegedly grabbed the woman’s bike, threw it in his car and forced her into the vehicle, as well, court documents say. Sommer allegedly referred to the victim by several names, threatened to assault her multiple times and demanded she perform sex acts, the statement says.

Sommer allegedly drove the vehicle into the county and back into Mexico for about an hour and the victim got away with her bike after he briefly stopped, court documents say.

The victim ran behind a building and called her boyfriend to pick her up while Sommer yelled for and looked for the victim, court documents say.

Police were then called and arrested Sommer at the same area where the victim was taken, the statement says. Video allegedly shows Sommer’s vehicle in the area where he first talked to the victim and then take off for a period of time before returning, the statement says.

Court documents also say that police saw tire marks from the victim’s bike in Sommer’s vehicle.

Columbia Utilities commits to tracking complaints, actions taken on reports of illegal camping and dumping near water

KMIZ on April 14, 2025

Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Utilities says it will work with other agencies and track complaints regarding illegal camping and dumping near the city’s waterways.

The department sent its updated plan to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources two weeks ago, said utilities department spokesman Jason West. The two-page updated portion of its application for a renewed stormwater permit acknowledges “illegal encampments or otherwise” as a form of illegal dumping that could lead to indirect contamination of creeks or streams.

ABC 17 News reported when DNR asked the city to address the issue as part of the renewal process earlier this year. DNR said it had received more than 30 complaints since 2022 about encampments near places like the Hinkson Creek. The state worried that human waste and litter from illegal encampments could pollute the water. The February letter did not say if DNR or the city ever found water pollution violations from those complaints. The current permit expires on June 30.

The city, along with Boone County and the University of Missouri, would “track all reported concerns and remediation efforts.” West said this is not a new practice for the city, but is the first time it included the information as part of this particular permit process. West said the city will continue its practice of investigating complaints it receives and working with the property owners where illegal dumping might be happening.

Illegal dumping responseDownload

DNR administers the process for the permits, known as MS4, for the EPA. The program is intended to make sure utility companies have a plan to stop harmful chemicals from spilling into the water and a plan to clean up if it does happen. DNR information officer Brian Quinn told ABC 17 News via email on Monday that the office was reviewing the city’s submission and “would provide comments back to the city soon.”

The Columbia City Council is still waiting on a report from city staff about the availability of public restrooms downtown.

Crown Linen’s processing plant in Audrain County to close next week

KMIZ on April 14, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Crown Linen will close its processing plant in Mexico, Missouri, on Friday, April 25, according to a press release from the company.

The company has been at the facility since 1904. The release says that a fire that destroyed two buildings last May and a decision was made to transition from a full processing center to a depot after looking at bids to rebuild.

The release says 50 employees work at the Mexico plant and that sales, service, administration and distribution operations will stay in Mexico. A total of 31 jobs will be impacted. All other operations will be moved to Crown’s location in Columbia, Illinois, the release says. The release says customers will not experience any changes to their service or product.

The release says that costs were high to maintain and rebuild the old buildings, “which no longer meet the operational efficiency or safety standards required for a commercial laundry service in today’s market.”

“This decision was not an easy one. We explored multiple options and sought assistance from local and state resources to facilitate the rebuilding and continued operation of our historic location. While we are disappointed to end our 134-year tradition in Mexico, we are grateful that Crown Linen will continue to serve as a premier commercial laundry service in the region,” owner Tim Williams said in the release.

The release says that impacted employees “will receive retention offers based on seniority, and all employee benefits will remain in place until at least May 31, 2025.”

CLSI MC1 Press Release 2025Download

Man pleads guilty to stabbing woman in 2023

KMIZ on April 14, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a pair of felonies in Montgomery County.

David Glispie Jr. pleaded guilty to first-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Glispie pleaded guilty to stabbing the victim 14 times in 2023, according to court documents from previous reporting. A trail of blood was seen coming from the victim’s apartment.

Witnesses allegedly told deputies they saw Glispie check on the victim while they were on the ground and then “gleefully shouting and cheering that the victim was dead,” the statement says.

Law enforcement found Glipsie after a roughly eight-hour search in Montgomery County.  

Man accused of exposing himself at Douglass High School charged with misdemeanor

KMIZ on April 14, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man has been charged with a misdemeanor after he allegedly exposed himself while he was in front of Douglass High School on Thursday.

Mark Dennis Jones, 64, was charged with first-degree sexual misconduct. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A hearing was held on Monday afternoon.

According to court documents, a member of the high school’s administration told police that Jones exposed himself in front of a student and their mother while he was urinating in front of them. Court documents say video footage showed the victims in a vehicle in the school’s parking lot about two minutes before Jones began urinating in front of the vehicle.

The administrator allegedly told police they recognized Jones because he “frequents the grounds of the school and observes Jones on school property ‘at least once a day,’” court documents say.

The student – who is a youth – allegedly told police they saw Jones urinate on school property and then continue to walk south while urinating, the statement says. The mother gave the same details to police.

Police allegedly asked Jones why didn’t ask the school to use a restroom and he replied that he did ask, the statement says. Police then asked why he didn’t use the bathroom at Douglass Park and Jones replied that he did not know, the statement says.

Man in West Columbia Friday standoff accused of threatening to shoot woman who was walking dog

KMIZ on April 14, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was arrested following an hours-long standoff Friday at a West Columbia apartment complex has been charged with two felonies.

Michael Whited, 59, of Columbia, was charged with second-degree making a terroristic threat, resisting arrest and three counts of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault.

He was arrested on Friday and was brought to an area hospital for a precautionary screening, police said on Friday night. Court documents say he was placed on a 96-hour hold at University Hospital for a mental evaluation.

According to the probable cause statement, the victim told police that she was walking her dog around 6:50 a.m. Friday at Ash Street Apartments when Whited pulled out a rifle and threatened to shoot her and the dog. The victim claimed they never met or interacted with Whited prior to him pulling out the gun, court documents say.

The victim ducked away and hid for cover while Whited threatened to shoot, the statement says. Two people saw Whited point the gun and Whited then pointed it at another person who saw him, the statement says. Whited allegedly was looking into windows of vehicles in the parking lot of the complex, as well, the statement says.

Another person described as “SUBJECT 1” in court documents saw Whited go in and out of the building he resided and was contacted by several people about him having the gun, the statement says. That person was able to put together Whited was the man with the gun based on descriptions given by the victims, the statement says.

That person also stated in court documents that Whited was heard screaming through apartment walls the night before. That person also stated Whited went to the main office of the complex and screamed about wanting to kill his coworkers in February, the statement says.

Police went to Whited’s apartment around 9 a.m. and he allegedly refused to open the door and told them “come back later or you’re dead,“ court documents say. He also made references to “demons,” according to the statement.

A standoff then occurred for several hours. Once police entered the apartment, they found Whited barricaded in his bathroom and found a gun in the apartment.

Columbia police arrest man in reported stabbing

KMIZ on April 14, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police arrested a man Monday after a stabbing near an elementary school.

Arthur Hooks, 70, was arrested after a report of a stabbing in the 2900 block of Leeway Drive, near Blue Ridge Elementary School, the Columbia Police Department wrote in a news release. There was no indication in the release that the incident involved the school or that students were in danger.

Officers arrested Hooks on suspicion of first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Charges had not been filed early Monday afternoon.

He is currently listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster and is being held without bond.

Man charged with assault after shot fired in Columbia parking lot

KMIZ on April 14, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was in jail Monday on assault and other charges after he allegedly fired a gun, and shrapnel scratched a person’s leg.

Jadon G. Gooldy, 20, was charged with four felonies after he allegedly fired a gun late Saturday during a gathering in the parking lot at ABC Supply in southeast Columbia: first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. Prosecutors also charged Gooldy with fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

Gooldy is accused of firing a shot near a person’s head. Shrapnel from the bullet ricocheted and hit another person in the leg, leaving a red mark, police say.

A crowd was gathered in the parking lot for an underground racing event.

Witnesses said Gooldy was angry after a woman used a racial slur, according to a probable cause statement. The statement says Gooldy pulled out a handgun and a flashlight and said he was going to find her before firing a shot past an acquaintance’s head.

Gooldy threatened to shoot the acquaintance unless he “pressed” the person who said the racial slur, according to the statement. After that, Gooldy fired, police said.

Officers found a 9 mm casing in the parking lot.

An officer found the white pickup that witnesses described Gooldy leaving in. The victim who was scratched by shrapnel was found at the same address, the statement says.

Gooldy was arrested during a traffic stop Sunday, the Columbia Police Department wrote in a news release.

Gooldy is set for an initial hearing Monday afternoon. He remained in the Boone County Jail on Monday without bond.