Author: KMIZ

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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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who is set to go to trial in the spring for rape and other sex crimes is now facing 10 counts of child porn possession in Morgan County.

Tristian Dale Washia-Mayhew, 23, was charged in 2024 with first-degree rape, second-degree statutory rape and fourth-degree child molestation. A jury trial is scheduled for those charges at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 12. He is being held at the Morgan County Jail without bond.

His new charges were filed on Tuesday and an arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday.

The probable cause statement for the new set of charges says child pornography was found on his phone while authorities did a cellphone extraction for his other cases.

The statement claims Washia-Mayhew had saved child porn — on the social media application Snapchat – from multiple conversations he had with girls. He had also allegedly provided his address multiple times on the app.

Court documents in previous reporting claim one of the rape victims passed out after they were given alcohol and awoke to Washia-Mayhew raping them. That same statement claims Washia-Mayhew had pestered one of the victims for nude photos, while Washia-Mayhew allegedly told law enforcement they were unsolicited.

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Jessica Hafner

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for dangerous cold that returns Monday morning after a brief warmup Sunday afternoon. Wind chills are expected to fall below 0° in many locations, and remain there in some locations through noon.

SETUP

An arctic airmass settled over the region this weekend, which caused wind chills to drop below zero Sunday morning.

A second cold front passed through this afternoon, leaving us in northerly flow overnight and into Monday. This brings another arctic airmass in that feels even colder Monday morning, and again colder through the afternoon.

Monday will be overall colder, with wind chills in the single digits much of the day as highs only reach into the teens. Wind chills will again fall to the single digits Tuesday morning before temperatures rise to the upper 30s and 40s in the afternoon. South winds look like they may begin to warm us prior to sunrise, saving us from a repeat of Monday’s cold.

Limit your and your pet’s time outdoors, especially during the early mornings on Sunday and Monday. When wind chills approach -15°, frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes, so be sure to cover as much exposed skin as possible with scarves, earmuffs, gloves, and face coverings.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Maries County deputy has been charged with a felony for an act that allegedly occurred when he was a member of the Belle Marshal’s office.

Erican Blake Sugg, of Vienna, was charged in Maries County with third-degree assault and second-degree property damage. A criminal summons was issued on Wednesday and an initial court appearance was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3.  

The probable cause statement alleges that Sugg claimed a resident – who is listed as a 72-year-old veteran in court documents – was in violation of a city ordinance and Sugg requested the man give him his driver’s license. The man refused to give Sugg his information and closed the door, the statement says.

The victim allegedly opened his door to let his dog in, Sugg tried to force his way into the man’s home and the two got into an “altercation,” the statement says. Court documents cite body camera footage while describing the situation.

Sugg then allegedly told another officer to use a Taser, the statement says. Officers eventually arrested the man.

“Officer Sugg assaulted him and with the threat of being tased put a 72-year-old veteran in apprehension of serious harm,” the city’s marshal wrote in the statement.

Court documents include a statement written by the victim, which claims he asked Sugg if he had a warrant and if he was under arrest, which claims Sugg told him he was not before dragging the man out of his home.

Maries County Sheriff Mark Morgan wrote in a social media post that Sugg has been placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation occurs.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia woman who was charged with 29 counts of animal abuse has now been sued by more than a dozen dog owners from across the United States and abroad.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in Boone County, names Magnum Opus German Shepherds LLC and its owner, Melissa Sanders, 26, and alleges widespread neglect, fraud, and abuse that led to the deaths and severe mistreatment of numerous dogs.

The plaintiffs, including 15 individuals and a couple from Nebraska, Virginia, Minnesota, California and Ohio, as well as Northern Ireland, claim they entrusted their dogs to Sanders for breeding, boarding, training or purchase, believing she was a professional breeder operating a high-quality kennel.

According to court documents, Sanders marketed Magnum Opus as an elite breeding operation focused on health, temperament and proper care; selling puppies for as much as $4,000 and charging for training and boarding services. Plaintiffs allege those representations were false and dogs in Sanders’ care were routinely starved, denied veterinary treatment, kept in filthy conditions and, in some cases, physically abused.

Melissa Sanders dog owner lawsuitDownload

The lawsuit details multiple dogs that died while in Sanders’ custody, including trained and service dogs, breeding dogs and puppies. Necropsy reports cited in the filing describe dogs suffering extreme weight loss, dehydration and starvation, with some dogs reportedly losing nearly half their body weight. Plaintiffs also allege Sanders provided false explanations for the deaths, including accidental strangulation or sudden collapse, and attempted to conceal the true conditions from the owners.

After receiving multiple complaints, Animal Control executed a search warrant at Sanders’ property in November 2025. Authorities allegedly found 16 living dogs in emaciated condition, at least nine dead dogs in various stages of decomposition, dog remains in trash bags, empty food and water containers, and feces throughout the home. Several dog skulls were found by authorities at the scene. Necropsies reportedly concluded that several dogs died of starvation.

Hannah Wilson, who is a part of the lawsuit, said her dog, Eri, went into Sanders’ care healthy and came out “severely” starved and pregnant. Nov. 16, 2025.

In addition to deaths, plaintiffs allege some dogs were returned severely malnourished, injured, or bred without owners’ consent. Several dogs were never returned and are presumed dead, the lawsuit says. Owners also claim financial losses from veterinary bills, necropsies, boarding fees, lost breeding income, and the loss of service dogs.

Elizabeth Van Erem, the attorney representing the dog owners, told ABC 17 News in a statement:

“I will say on behalf of my clients that there is no amount of money that could ever compensate them for the cruel and barbaric actions of Ms. Sanders, who continues to lack remorse for what she has done. My clients’ lives will never be the same.”

The petition brings multiple claims, including breach of contract, fraud, negligence, conversion, breach of bailment, violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Plaintiffs are seeking actual and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and other relief, and have requested a jury trial.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Transportation met with Boone County stakeholders to discuss what local funding can do to improve Interstate 70 as a lane is added to each side of the highway.

Improve I-70 Program Director Eric Kopinski said the goal of Wednesday’s meeting with Boone County commissioners, Columbia Chamber of Commerce representatives and others was to nail down the beautification aspects of MoDOT’s Rocheport-to-Columbia project. Local contractor Emery Sapp and Sons is leading that project, which is expected to start in the spring.

MoDOT has state funding to construct additional lanes, but would need local funding to update outer roads and add trees or fences.

“You’re going to see that as we start to make improvements this year, and even next year, that this will kind of be branded like Missouri-Columbia part of the corridor,” Kopinski said.

MoDOT’s first project, Columbia to Kingdom City, received funding from the City of Columbia, the University of Missouri and local businesses, Kopinski said.

Kopinski said decisions on how to enhance the highway west of Columbia need to be made within the next two to three weeks.

“We need decisions and also commitments for that funding that we can secure that and begin to move forward because the impacts for this next phase of the project, they’re going to happen very quickly,” Kopinski said.

Kopinski said there will also be a public meeting in early March, before construction on the 14-mile Columbia-to-Rocheport project starts. The project is expected to cost about $441 million, which Kopinski said has already been allocated and can be completed within that amount.

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Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man accused of killing his wife during an argument over marital infidelity will appear in court for the first time Friday.

Malang J. Akbari, 46, was charged Tuesday with murdering his wife, Manhaz Akbari, by stabbing her to death in their home on East McCarty Street. Court documents say Malang Akbari suspected his wife of cheating. Prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder, child endangerment and armed criminal action.

An Amber Alert was sent out for Akbari’s 18-month-old son and a 12-year-old, but the alert was later canceled. The baby was found safe at a relative’s house, and it’s not clear where the older child was found.

Akbari incident reportDownload

An adult child found Manhaz Akbari stabbed to death in the house after a call from Malang Akbari admitting to the killing. Malang Akbari had already fled the house with the children, according to court documents.

The adult child called 911. Police blocked off part of the street during the daylong investigation.

Multiple neighbors told ABC 17 News that Akbari moved to the United States from Afghanistan. The family attended First UMC church in Jefferson City, and Pastor Trevor Dancer wrote to ABC 17 News that the church helped the family resettle in Jefferson City.

“Like the other families, Malang Jan had worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan — serving, as I understand it, as a translator,” Dancer wrote. “Because of that service, he and his family became targets of the Taliban. The U.S. military brought them here as asylum seekers for their safety.

Dancer said the family seemed to be integrating, and the church’s focus is on helping the children recover after the killing.

“For most of the time, this family was average members of our community,” Dancer wrote. “They went to work and school. That was their hope coming here and remains the hope of the children.”

Malang Akbari remained in the Cole County Jail on Wednesday. He has been denied bond.

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Matthew Sanders

UPDATE: The charges in which Peterson is facing have been corrected.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man who was arrested on Wednesday after an hours-long standoff has been charged with multiple felonies.

Travis Peterson, 44, was charged with first-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree harassment and resisting arrest. A court date has not been scheduled. He is being held without bond.

Police announced they arrested a man before 2 p.m. Wednesday. Peterson’s information was not listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster on Wednesday afternoon and a mugshot was not available.

Police were called at 9:17 a.m. to the 3300 block of Parker Street for a report of shots fired after Peterson allegedly fired a round in the middle of the street at his girlfriend, the statement says. Peterson’s girlfriend in court documents claimed the two had been arguing about “who needed to leave,” the statement says.

The victim went to leave the home and allegedly felt “something” pressed against the back of her head, turned around and saw Peterson had a gun, the statement says. Peterson allegedly said “what would it be like if I shot you right now,” court documents say.

The victim allegedly walked to Peterson’s work truck, which had “Socket” written on the side, and peterson fired the round, the statement says. The victim believes he fired the shot into the ground, the statement says.

Video recorded by the victim allegedly showed the Peterson threatening to shoot her, the statement says.

Several cars from the Columbia Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol were at the scene in the 3300 block of Parker Street. At least one armored police vehicle was at the scene.

CPD spokesman Colin Imhoff said the suspect threatened to shoot police but no one was hurt before, during or after the incident.

The response led nearby Albert-Oakland Middle School to keep students and staff inside the building while police worked. Columbia Public Schools later updated families to let them know school would dismiss at the normal time.

Police closed the street and issued a shelter-in-place order. The suspect was armed, but there were no hostages, the CPD spokesman said. Court documents say Petersont has a prior criminal history, which includes out-of-state charges for domestic offenses.

CPD wrote on its social media that nearby residents could return to their homes.

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Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A trailer northwest of Columbia was the scene of a fire investigation early Wednesday.

The Boone County Fire Protection District was called to the 5800 block of North Oneal Road at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday after a trailer was set on fire over a dispute, Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said.

Boone County firefighters, along with deputies from the sheriff’s office, were at the scene.

No one was hurt.

Fire officials said no one was on scene when they arrived.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

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