Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A portion of the eastbound lane of East Walnut Street in downtown Columbia will be closed until Wednesday, according to a Thursday press release from the City of Columbia.

The release says the lane between North Eighth and Ninth streets near the Guitar Building closed Thursday morning and will reopen by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21.

“The closure will allow contractor crews to repair the full length of the parapet wall on the north side of the building and secure the exterior,” the release says.

The sidewalks will stay open and detour signs will be posted. The first phase of the work was completed on Wednesday.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was arrested on Wednesday after he allegedly stole a gun and got into a chase with law enforcement has been charged with six felonies.

Devin Taylor, 25, of Columbia, was charged with aggravated fleeing, armed criminal action, first-degree property damage, second-degree burglary, stealing a gun and tampering with evidence. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond and a court date has not been scheduled.

Probation violations were also filed in two of his other court cases.

Two probable cause statements were filed in the case. They say that authorities were called at 8:45 a.m. to the 5200 block of East St. Charles Road after a business owner learned their business was burglarized the night before.

A rifle, two gaming consoles and a stack of checkbooks totaling $2,800 were stolen, according to the court documents. Two vehicles at the business were also broken into, the statement says. Security footage allegedly showed a masked man that officers were able to identify as Taylor “due to many interactions” the officer had, the statement says.  

Taylor was allegedly in a white Dodge Ram at the scene, which was later spotted by a deputy at the intersection of Buttonwood Drive and Nifong Boulevard, the statement says. The deputy tried to pull over the vehicle and a chase ensued where speeds topped 85 miles per hour, the statement says.

Taylor eventually crashed the truck into another vehicle near Veterans United’s south Columbia campus, according to the statement and previous reporting. He then ran into the woods and was eventually detained and the rifle was found later, the statements show.

Taylor allegedly denied driving the truck and claimed he had been walking in a field when officers started chasing him, the statement says. Law enforcement wrote that it had received a “hit” from a Flock camera just before the chase that apparently showed someone matching Taylor’s description driving the truck, the statement says.

Deputies also found a glass breaker and several car keys that belonged to the burglarized business, the statement says.

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Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Seasonal influenza activity levels remain very high in Missouri.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, there have been 33,681 flu cases reported this season.

For the week ending on Jan. 3, the department reported 7,582 new cases. 89% of those cases were Influenza A cases.

MU Health Care pediatric infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Amruta Padhye, said the state has not hit the peak of cases.

Padhye said clinics and hospitals in the MU Health Care system are seeing an increase in flu cases along with other viruses like RSV, strep throat and ear infections.

MU Health Care has reported an increase in emergency room visits due to flu and respiratory illness, increasing wait times. Even if you get the flu once this season, you can still get sick again, according to Padhye.

“I still recommend the influenza vaccine after recovery from that current illness, because we also see influenza B this time of the year,” Padhye said. “You can still get influenza, whether it’s the same type or the other type later in the season.”

According to guidance from MU Health Care, anyone with severe symptoms should get emergency care. This includes difficulty breathing, severe dehydration, confusion, or chest pain with the flu.

“We have a list of symptoms for which to seek care in a quick care versus urgent care or versus emergency care,” Padhye said. “I would recommend looking at that list, kind of to help yourself, to help guide where to seek care.”

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Speaker of the House Jonathon Patterson (R-Lees Summit) has introduced the framework of the governor’s tax elimination plan, and Representative Mark Boyko (D-Kirkwood) from across the aisle filed an alternate plan.

Governor Mike Kehoe has been a long-standing proponent of eliminating the state’s income tax. The bill Patterson filed would do that without increasing the sales tax rate, but it would expand the sales tax base to include services.

“For the purpose of reducing and eliminating the state individual income tax, state and local sales and use taxes or any similar transaction-based tax may be expanded by legislation to impose taxes on transactions involving any goods and services,” the House Joint Resolution 165 reads.

During his State of the State Address on Tuesday, Kehoe said this might mean local governments will have to adjust their property tax rates to compensate for the sales tax expansion.

Cole County Commissioner Harry Otto told ABC 17 News that county sales, property and use taxes were the biggest revenue streams for the county.

On Wednesday, Otto said adjusting the tax base while also adjusting property taxes isn’t what’s best for the budget.

“What sounds good for the county is an expansion of the sales tax base,” Otto said. “What doesn’t sound good for the county is some kind of contraction on the property tax.”

Patterson’s tax plan, if passed, would either need to be put before the voters in November or be passed during a special election.

Voters would only need to give an OK for lawmakers to adjust their taxes because of the Hancock amendment, which requires tax rate adjustments to be passed by the voters, Otto said.

The bill text says “any tax or revenue increase resulting from legislation enacted for the purpose of reducing and eliminating state individual income tax” is exempt from the Hancock Amendment.

An official, detailed income tax elimination plan hasn’t been announced.

On the opening day of the regular session, Democrats announced that they would file alternative legislation, and they did.

Boyko filed House Bill 2975, which would adjust Missouri’s tax brackets.

boyko tax planDownload

Currently, anyone with a taxable income in Missouri who makes over $9,191 is pays a base rate of $256 plus 6% on income over the base income. For example, if a person makes $10,000, they would be taxed 6% on $809.

Starting in 2027, Boyko wants to adjust taxes for people who make over $30,000 and increase taxes for people who make over $1 million.

According to Boyko’s plan, people who make over $30,000 would be pay a base tax of $1,183.25 plus 4.7% on excess–the current rate. The highest earners would pay a base of $46,773 plus 5.9% on excess over $1 million.

People who make less than $30,000 would receive a tax break:

Earners between $7,500 and $30,000 have a base pay of $159 and excess tax rate of 4.55%.

Earners between $2,000 and $7,500 don’t have a base pay but are taxed 2.9%.

Earners that make less than $2,000 aren’t taxed.

Missouri currently has a tiered tax system. If the state hits a certain amount of revenue each fiscal year, then it triggers a new tax rate.

The state has already hit a few of the triggers since 2023, which can be found in the income tax law. Boyko’s proposed plan would take out that tiered system.

Both proposed bills need to be placed with a committee, and it’s up to Patterson to do that.

“If the speaker (Speaker of the House Jon Patterson) gives my plan the same shot the Speaker will give his own plan, in terms of assigning it to a committee, I look forward to having a debate and explaining to my colleagues that this is the plan that would actually lower taxes and reduce costs on Missourians,” Boyko said.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed in a social media post that a federal agent has again shot someone in the city if Minneapolis.

The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents were conducting a “targeted traffic stop” when the man, a Venezuelan national, was shot in the leg after he began to resist arrest and “violently assault” one of its officers.

The city later confirmed that a man was shot in the leg and was brought to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The city asked the public to remain calm while once again demanding ICE to leave the city and the state.

This evening, one adult male was shot by federal immigration enforcement agents in the 600 block of 24th Avenue North. He was transferred to a local hospital with apparent non-life-threatening injuries.

We understand there is anger. We ask the public to remain calm. https://t.co/dTHsb8faqV

— City of Minneapolis (@CityMinneapolis) January 15, 2026

The DHS tweet alleges that a “targeted traffic stop” a 6:50 p.m. involved a Venezuelan national and that when officers tried to arrest them, they were attacked by two people and was hit with a shovel and a broom stick.

“Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired a defensive shot to defend his life. The initial subject was hit in the leg,” the post says. “All three subjects ran back into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside. The attacked officer and subject are both in the hospital. Both attackers are in custody.”

At 6:50 PM CT, federal law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted traffic stop in Minneapolis of an illegal alien from Venezuela who was released into the country by Joe Biden in 2022.

In an attempt to evade arrest, the subject fled the scene in his vehicle and crashed…

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 15, 2026

Police Chief Bryan O’Hara told reporters at a press conference that he understood there was possibly just one attacker. He also said the incident involved someone driving a vehicle that was spotted on 94th Street and began driving toward the residence where the shooting occurred.

Minneapolis leaders are asking the city to remain calm and are demanding that ICE leave the city again.

“ICE can leave and this massive deployment can come to an end,” says Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “We have filed litigation to hopefully make it so. And at the same time I’m deeply concerned that we don’t have that kind of time. This is already the 2nd shooting that we’ve had in a week. People are scared. The atmosphere is tense, but again, there is another option. We can stop going down this route together.”

The incident comes as the city continues to reel in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, which sparked nationwide protests and exacerbated tensions in a community already on edge over a surge in federal agents.

Check back for updates.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Missouri House and Senate bill are being considered in legislative committees with goals of curbing juvenile crime.

This comes after Gov. Mike Kehoe gave his State of the State address Tuesday, which highlighted plans for state income tax, budget and public safety.

“Violent crime committed by juveniles has reached a concerning level in Missouri,” Kehoe said. “Our juvenile justice system was designed to rehabilitate young people who make mistakes, but it was never meant to be a revolving door for repeat offenders who pose a real danger to the public.”

In January, a 17-year-old was arrested after police claimed he fired shots inside Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Shoppes at Stadium area, later leading sheriff’s deputies on a chase in Pettis county.

The summer of 2025 also led to several juvenile arrests after the death of a 16-year-old in May and 18-year-old in June.

Kehoe alluded to two bills during his speech, House Bill 2498, sponsored by State Rep. Brad Christ (R-St. Louis) and Senate Bill 888, sponsored by Sen. Nick Schroer (R-St. Charles).

Both bills will allow county prosecutors who have evidence to request a hearing to prosecute a juvenile as an adult. Currently, juvenile judges typically decide how a juvenile offender is prosecuted.

According to Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson, if a juvenile commits a crime that would be considered a felony if committed by an adult, they typically are already set to be certified and prosecuted as an adult.

“I don’t know that it would change things in some of the most violent offenses because those cases are going to be presented to the judge for certification anyway,” Johnson said. “It would get us involved earlier on in the process of working on those cases.”

Johnson highlighted two unique parts of the House bill. One section looks to add juvenile criminal history to the state’s crime records.

Johnson described the State’s Juvenile Office’s records and criminal histories as a “black box,” and that the office and county courts work in separate systems.

“Currently, we don’t have access to that. But under these proposals, we would,” Johnson said.

Johnson added the additional information could help with court filing.

“We have 16 attorneys, and so we have limited resources. In a lot of cases, we have to decide where we’re going to focus our resources and we try to focus our resources on repeat offenders and violent offenders,” Johnson said, “Were we to have information about juveniles who’ve been a continual problem over time, that’ll help us know that that’s a case that we really need to focus on.”

The House bill also proposes holding the parents and guardians of repeat juvenile offenders accountable by charging parents who fail to control the child or encourage the child in committing crimes with endangering the welfare of a child. Johnson said it would be a new way to hold parents accountable.

“We’ve had situations where parents are antagonizing their juveniles to fight, we’ve had cases where they’re driving them to fights. We’ve even had cases where parents are giving juveniles a gun to go out and commit a crime,” Johnson said.

He added cases under this possible charge could be complicated, and he expects offices to have discretion if parents need to be evaluated in the future.

“Our job is not just to try to lock people up, it’s to try to pursue justice and so in a case like that, we would have to look at it and make sure that what we’re doing really is fair,” Johnson said.

Johnson also voiced an overall need for long-term investment in the state’s juvenile system, if the general assembly is looking to manage more juvenile offenders.

“Our juvenile facility, in particular, was just developed at a time when the juvenile landscape was much different,” Johnson said. “Now, instead of having people in the juvenile system, or housed there who maybe were vandals, we’re talking about housing people there who were committing shooting cases or homicides.”

He adds that current facilities sometimes have design limitations and lack space for housing several suspects or groups who may be violent toward one another. Johnson also reports that job retention and recruitment are issues in the juvenile office.

“My guess is that we would see more results with investment of resources under the juvenile system rather than necessarily some of the statutory changes,” Johnson said. “Not to say that the statutory changes might not be helpful or might be a bad idea, but I think really to make significant change in this area, we’re going to have to invest resources into the juvenile system.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A vehicle involved in a crash Wednesday night at a Brickton Road intersection was first involved in a chase with police, according to Columbia Police Department Lt. Anthony Bowne.

The intersection of Brickton Road and Conley Road was blocked off on Wednesday night after a vehicle had flipped on its side after a crash.

Two vehicles were involved in the crash. The driver of a white sedan was pulled over for speeding at 7:07 p.m. and tried to speed away from police because they did not have a license, Bowne said.

The traffic stop began near the intersection of Range Line Street and Interstate 70, a CPD release from Wednesday night says.

“Officers attempted the stop for felony driving without a license, a stop sign violation, and suspicion of drug activity. The vehicle failed to stop for officers and fled east on Interstate 70,” the release says.

The driver in the sedan crashed into a green truck, causing the truck to fall on its side. The driver of the white sedan then tried to run away to a nearby parking lot to steal another vehicle, but was arrested by police. The name of the driver was not given to media on Wednesday night.

Police confirmed that the suspect and his passenger were both injured in the crash and were brought to an area hospital. The driver inside the truck that flipped on its side had no reported injuries, according to Bowne.

Both cars were being towed at 8:09 p.m.

The release says the driver is detained on suspicion of driving without a license, not stopping at a stop sign, aggravated fleeing, attempted vehicle theft, resisting arrest, kidnapping and leaving the scene of an accident.

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A traffic study provided by the Regional Economic Development Inc. along a portion of Route B indicates a new road could be built to help with expected traffic needs as businesses expect significant growrth.

An access study on Route B was conducted in 2025, with a report dated Dec. 10. It specifically looked at a portion of Route B between Highway 63 and Waco Road.

REDI reached out to evaluate the potential of adding a new traffic signal near a new “Collector Road” that could be situated between JBS Foods and Schnieder Electric. The study indicates that Missouri Department of Transportation is in favor of the idea.

The study claims Schneider Electric currently has 321 employees over three shifts and expects to add 240 by 2028, equating a nearly 75% increase. JBS Foods has 210 employees over two shifts and expects to add 70 workers, or 33%, during the same period, the study says.

Solventum has 550 employees over several shifts and expects to add 30 employees per year during the next three years, while Mid-City Lumber plans to add a new shop and storage area, the study says.

A “Collector Road” would go east-and-west to intersect with Route B, should it determined to be warranted on multiple factors. Data sets within the study indicate that should growth continue at each business without building a “Collector Road,” traffic conditions in the afternoon near JBS and Schneider Electric could worsen.

67-25 Route B Access Study_DRAFT 121025Download

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man with a warrant from North Dakota was charged in Boone County after he allegedly a fired a gun through a wall of a Columbia apartment on Monday.

Jah’ree Walker, 24, was charged on Wednesday with two counts of illegal gun possession, one count of armed criminal action and a count of tampering with evidence. He was also charged in another case with being a fugitive from out of state.

He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday.

The probable cause statement says police were called at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday to an apartment building in the 1800 block of Gordon Street to remove Walker from the residence.

The caller was Walker’s mother, who allegedly told police he moved into her apartment on Nov. 21 and planned to stay for “a couple of days,” the statement says. She allegedly told police that she believed he continued to stay because he had a warrant for his arrest in Minnesota. Court documents indicate his warrant is from North Dakota.

The night before, Walker allegedly fired a bullet through multiple walls within the apartment, the statement says. Police also noted shrapnel holes in a wall, court documents say. Police also wrote there are “multiple” apartments on each side.

Walker was taken into custody and police found a rifle in the residence, the statement says. Walker has a prior felony conviction and is not allowed to have a gun, court documents say.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Law enforcement arrested a Columbia man who allegedly had a gun following a chase that ended near Veterans United’s southern Columbia campus on Wednesday.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Wednesday evening press release that Devin Taylor, 25, of Columbia, was eventually found and detained. Taylor was brought to an area hospital for evaluation and will be booked into the Boone County Jail after he is medically cleared, the release says.

The sheriff’s office wrote that deputies responded to a burglary call at 8:47 a.m. at a business in the 5200 block of East St. Charles Road. Taylor allegedly stole several items, including a rifle. Taylor then allegedly tried to cash a fraudulent check at 12:51 p.m. in the 3600 block of Buttonwood Drive, a deputy saw him in a vehicle and a nine-minute chase occurred, the release says.

Taylor crashed into another vehicle near State Farm Parkway and Nifong Boulevard and residents told law enforcement they saw his vehicle go toward Veterans United’s campus, the release says. He then allegedly ran into the woods with the gun, the release says. He was found at 1:24 p.m. and the gun was later recovered by law enforcement.

An ABC 17 News photographer saw deputies and Columbia police in the area with a K-9.

The driver of the vehicle Taylor’s vehicle crashed into had no injuries, the release says.

Rock Bridge High School, Rock Bridge Elementary School and Gentry Middle School were all put on temporary “hold and secures” while law enforcement worked in the area. Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said in an email the “hold and secure” lasted about five minutes. The measure was done due to Veterans United’s proximity to the schools, and the chase did not involve any of the schools.

Parents of students at each school were notified, as well as parents of touring from John Warner Middle School.

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