Category: kmiz-local-news

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Ashland man was charged with five felonies after he was accused of hitting a person with his car in Columbia early Monday morning.

Steven Brunstrom, 28, of Ashland, was charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action, third-degree domestic assault, property damage and resisting arrest.

Columbia Police said officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Vandiver Drive for a crash with a pedestrian just before 2 a.m. on Monday.

Court documents state that Brunstrom allegedly hit his ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend before threatening to kill them.

Police said the woman told officers Brunstrom used his car to hit the man and pinned him against a house on Parker Street.

The man told police while at the hospital that he had stopped Brunstrom from hitting the woman before he started hitting him and allegedly threatening to kill them both.

Officers said the man told police Brunstrom tried to hit him with his car but missed before he turned around and hit him.

Court documents state the victim reported being on the hood of the car while Brunstrom drove it until he hit the house. The victim reported having his ankle pinned between the car, house and gas meter.

Brunstrom allegedly left the scene in his car he used to hit the man. Police said officers arrived at his house in Ashland and saw damage to a car matching the victim’s description.

Brunstrom is accused of trying to run from an officer and Boone County Sheriff’s Deputies while trying to arrest him. He ran about 20 yards before he was caught by officers, court documents state.

Police reported seeing tire marks in the front yard of the house on Parker Street and damage to the front corner of the siding and gutter. Officers also reported a broken gas meter at the house.

The woman victim had swelling around her right side of her face with a large red mark, according to court documents. The man was reported to have swelling on his face along with large cuts on his knees and lower legs and a possibly broken right ankle.

Investigators believe the crash was intentional, according to a press release.

Court documents state Brunstrom is currently out on bond for domestic assault and kidnapping in one case and possession of a controlled substance in a second case.

Brunstrom is currently being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A court date was not set as of 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

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Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A grant awarded to the Missouri Department of Transportation and the City of Columbia by the federal government has been canceled for the second time.

In a news release, Loop Community Improvement District spokesperson Carrie Gartner said a $2.13 million grant that would be used to improve Business Loop 70 in Columbia has been canceled.

“Federal Highway Administration has been told to withdraw the funds and close out the grant so we are unable to go forward with this important step towards a better street and a more welcoming gateway into Columbia,” the release states.

The grant was frozen in early March but was unfrozen within two weeks.

Gartner said the city and MoDOT were told on Friday the grant was canceled.

According to City of Columbia Engineering Manager Allison Anderson, the cancellation came as a result of President Donald Trump’s “One, Big Beautiful Bill” passing.

“Once that bill went through we kind of saw what was going to happen but Friday was when we got the official notice from federal highway,” Anderson said.

Gartner told ABC 17 News via email that about 60 communities across the nation were impacted as a result of the bill, accounting for $2.4 billion in funding.

“The people of Columbia and the City of Columbia have been amazingly supportive of our efforts to improve the Business Loop—which is not just an economic engine for the city but our main gateway into Columbia,” the statement reads. “Despite this setback, the Loop Community Improvement District hopes we have this same support as we explore all our options for funding this important redevelopment project.”

In a statement sent to ABC 17 News, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it plans to continue reviewing grant selections to ensure they align with the president’s executive orders.

The release from the Loop CID states that it plans to reapply for another federal grant if given the oppertunity but is also preparing if that does not happen.

“If federal funds are no longer available, we will work with the city to explore other locally-initiated funding tools that are not reliant on grants”

The grant was awarded in 2024 as part of the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant program. The grant was to be used to do a study of Business Loop 70 between Stadium Boulveard and Eastland Circle to find ways to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians.

“It’s kind of a gateway off of I-70 to our community and to have a really great looking business loop to just draw people, wanting to get them to stop in Columbia,” Anderson said. “Just really make business loop a quarter where people want to be again. Make it great for traveling in your car, but also for walkers and bikers.”

City officials requested $2.5-3 million for the study, according to the application filed in 2023. In October the City Council approved $500,000 in funds from the capital improvement sales tax to be used for the study along with the federal grant.

City spokesperson Sydney Olsen told ABC 17 News that the city plans to hold onto that funding in the project account as it explores other possible grants or funding mechanisms.

Owner of Woods Auto Spa on the Business Loop, Dimetrious Woods said hearing the news brings frustration for not only his business, but for the many small business owners in the city. He also said it raises the question of why.

“I’ve heard a couple things of Trump being involved in, or inflicting upon certain people. Me being myself, whenever it inflicts me, of course I’m going to open my eyes,” Woods said. “It doesn’t feel good hearing that it’s Trump. It’s been a lot of great policies but I’m not hearing a lot of great as of a thing like this. Who does a grant hurt? It only helps the community.”

The federal grant for the road safety audit of Business Loop 70 is still moving forward, according to Anderson.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two suspects involved in a deadly Dove Drive shooting in 2023 are set to be in a Boone County courtroom Monday.

Ja’Shaun Barney and Damarkus Williams are two of seven people involved in the deadly shooting, and are facing first-degree murder along with multiple other charges.

According to court documents, Ja’Shaun Barney requested a speedy trial on May 29. Williams’ four-day jury trial was previously set for this Fall but was cancelled; the court is set to reschedule the trial in Monday’s hearing.

Last month marked two years since Barney and Williams were accused in the shooting that killed Deshon Houston on Dove Drive in 2023. Out of the seven suspects in that shooting, Barney and Williams are the only ones who have not pleaded guilty.

Court documents say Deazes Turner, Deljuan Turner and Alqueze Jones shot and killed Deshon Houston from a white 2017 Ford Explorer driven by Barney; while Bryton Allen also shot at Houston from an Acura MDX driven by Williams.

All of the men originally had second-degree murder charges, which were later upgraded to first-degree murder.

Deljuan Turner pleaded guilty in November last year to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Jones, 21, pleaded guilty that same month to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Allen, 22, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to 20 years. He was also sentenced to four years in prison in an unrelated case where he pleaded guilty to resisting arrest in 2021.

Deazes Turner, 22, pleaded guilty in April to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Barney and Williams will be in front of Judge Joshua Devine at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

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Matthew Sanders

The heat wave that planted itself over our part of the country is here to stay for a few days.

This week, Mid-Missouri remains under an extreme heat warning issued by the National Weather Service. The high summer temperatures combined with heavy humidity have pushed the heat index into the triple digits.

It’s a level that’s dangerous for those without access to proper cooling and with certain health conditions. The conditions have led the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team to call a string of Weather Alert Days this week.

Mid-Missourians are used to hot, humid summers. But most could probably do without the kind of heat we’ve seen lately.

How hot is too hot for you? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A portion of Worley Street was blocked off Sunday night, due to an underground explosion.

According to a Boone County Joint Communications alert, Worley Street from Stadium to at least West Blvd was closed due to an underground explosion. Drivers were asked to find an alternate route.

A Columbia firefighter on scene told ABC 17 News crews were called for an underground explosion. Firefighters found smoke in the sewers. No injuries were reported. The scene cleared around 10 p.m.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw several first responders on scene around 9:15 p.m. and damage to the sewer.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman was killed in Boone County Saturday night in what the Boone County Sheriff’s Office is investigating as a homicide.

Brian Leer with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to ABC 17 News Sunday night that a suspect was arrested.

According to a release from the sheriff’s office Sunday night, Isaiah N. Goins, 26, of Columbia, was identified as a possible suspect. The release says Goins was found at a business on Clark Lane around noon Sunday and taken to the sheriff’s office for an interview.

Goins was arrested on charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. He was not listed on the Boone County Jail roster Sunday night.

According to a previous release, at around 11:35 p.m. Saturday, a sergeant was approached by a citizen reporting that they had seen a vehicle crashed into a home in the 2400 block of north Lake of the Woods Road. Upon approaching the vehicle, the sergeant found a 43-year-old Columbia resident shot and killed in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

This marks the third homicide reported in Boone County so far in 2025. For comparison, there were only two homicides recorded in all of 2024, one in February and another in June.

The current count puts the county on par with 2023, when three homicides were reported throughout the year. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol crime reports, the highest number of homicides in the past five years occurred in 2021, with six recorded that year.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 16-year-old boy from Mesquite, Texas, was seriously injured on Piney Point Road, just south of Damascus Road in Camden County Saturday night according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report.

The crash happened around 7:27 p.m. when a 2025 Honda TRX ATV was driving north on Piney Point Road when it sped downhill too fast and failed to make the turn, driving off the right side of the road, flipping and throwing the driver off.

The 16-year-old was taken to Lake Regional Hospital with serious injuries. He was wearing a helmet. The ATV also had extensive damage.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Show Me State Games are in full swing this weekend. Early Saturday morning soccer matches began at Cosmo Park, continuing the non-profit’s goal of fitness, fun, and community for Missourians of all ages.

Now in its 41st year, the games draw thousands of athletes from across the state. Executive Director Bruce Ungles says this year’s participation is on pace with 2024, with around 15,000 athletes competing.

“We’re seeing really good numbers in some of our individual sports. Wrestling numbers were way up. Track numbers are really good. So, some of those individuals sports are thriving right now,” Ungles said.

Ungles said that weather plays a big role in same-day registrations, which are common for many of the events.

“You know, sometimes weather is the determining factor whether people show up the day.” Ungles said. “We have a lot of sports with on site registrations. Sometimes when it’s 95 people stay home, sometimes 95, they come out because it’s not raining.”

Temperatures climbed into the 90s on Saturday. Ungles said organizers were well-prepared.

“Yes, it’s hot. Yes, it’s you know, it’s a concern, no doubt but most of our outdoor sports, we have medical coverage at those sites. So, if something does happen, we have somebody close by.” 

To protect participants from the heat, the Show Me State Games have added extra water breaks, shortened game durations, and are following health guidelines provided by University Health Care. In addition, Columbia Police and University officers are stationed at larger venues to ensure public safety.

Kevin Stoll a soccer coach from St. Louis, brought his under-6 boys’ soccer team to Columbia. He said the heat isn’t stopping them from enjoying the experience.

“Yeah, man from St. Louis, you know, it’s humid and hot, but like I said (we’re staying safe) with tons of water breaks and everything like that,” Stoll said.

The Show Me State Games will continue on Sunday and pick up again next weekend, with even more sports joining the schedule.

You can find a full list of events and updates here.

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Olivia Hayes

MORGAN CO., MO (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a man is dead after drowning in Possum Hollow Cove, in Morgan County.

The MSHP drowning report says the man’s kayak overturned onto him. The kayaker never resurfaced and was later recovered by the Mid County Dive Team and identified as a 50-year-old man from Florissant.

This is MSHP Troop F’s first drowning for the month of July and the third of the year for 2025.

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Olivia Hayes

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a man is dead after drowning in the Niangua River at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The MSHP Drowning Report says that the victim, a 46 year old man from Deepwater, MO went under and never resurfaced as he was attempting to pull other swimmers to shore.

The man was recovered and pronounced dead. MSHP reports do not list the names of the victims.

This is MSHP Troop F’s second drowning for the month of July and fourth for the year of 2025.

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