Category: kmiz-local-news

Euphenie Andre

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A shooting investigation in Jefferson City is drawing attention from millions across the country, as the family of Erik Spencer II continues to call for transparency.

Spencer was shot and killed on Nov. 1 in the 3500 block of Missouri Boulevard. Police records obtained by ABC 17 News show that officers were called to the area around 7:52 p.m. after a caller reported witnessing a man assaulting a woman. The caller and the dispatcher noted screaming coming from a vehicle. Within minutes, gunshots were reported, and by 8:02 p.m., emergency responders were performing CPR.

Police said Spencer died at the scene.

The Spencer family has turned to social media to raise awareness for Erik’s death, sharing videos, updates, and messages to the public. One video posted by a friend on TikTok has reached over 4 million views.

A report from the Congressional Research Service shows social media plays a growing role in criminal investigations. State and federal agencies have used public and, in some cases, private social media data to help build cases.

The report also shows:

89% of public-safety agencies use social media for community outreach

76% use it to solicit crime tips

72% use it to monitor public sentiment

70% use it for intelligence gathering

91% use it to share public-safety concerns

For Spencer’s sister, Ka’leen Spencer, social media has provided a platform to speak directly to the nation.

“If you’re concerned about someone being shot and killed in your community, you should be very concerned,” Ka’leen Spencer said. “No one knows who he [the suspect] is or what he looks like. It could be somebody walking down the street, and you don’t even know.”

The Jeffeson City Police Department said the person who shot Spencer has been cooperating during the investigation. ABC 17 News learned that authorities questioned a state employee, who is currently on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

“I think the nation should be interested. An unarmed Black man was shot and killed in broad daylight in a shopping center. That’s a human problem,” Ka’keen Spencer said.

As the case gained national attention on social media, ABC 17 News asked Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson about the heightened profile. Thompson said he cannot provide additional details while the investigation is ongoing.

“I will not compromise the integrity of the investigation or any potential prosecution by making extrajudicial comments in the media, which I am specifically barred from doing by Missouri’s Supreme Court Rules,” Thompson wrote in an email.

He confirmed that the Spencer family is being kept informed, but emphasized that no further information can be released at this time.

Ka’leen said public advocacy through social media is critical.

“Social media does wonders. Public outcry does wonders,” she said. “If prosecutors or the Jefferson City Police Department aren’t putting out a statement — then who will?”

The Spencer family plans to host a candlelight vigil Monday at 7 p.m. in front of Old Navy to mark one month since his death. Before the vigil, the family says they will attend the Jefferson City Council meeting to “stand for transparency.”

ABC 17 News reached out to the City of Jefferson City and the Jefferson City Police Department for comment.

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Jessica Hafner

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for the potential of accumulating snow that could cause roads to be slick through Tuesday morning.

A wave of low pressure has plunged out of the Rockies across the Plains and into the Midwest on Monday, triggering a wide swath of snow where temperatures have been below freezing.

1-3″ of snow has already fallen across the region, with an additional 1-2″ possible through late tonight. Winds will be light, but visibility could drop where snowfall rates are higher between 5-7:00 p.m.

We are closely monitoring for a band of potentially higher snowfall rates where better forcing will be possible. This band may increase snowfall rates enough to allow for localized 4-6″ amounts VERY near and to the north of I-70. Given some uncertainty, we’ll need to closely monitor the forecast for amount bumps near I-70. In our previous map, a more southern band showed potential to bring 2+ inches near I-44, but this looks to increasingly happen east of mid-MO, towards the south side of St. Louis.

Snow looks to exit to the east before midnight, but roads that are not treated will be slick overnight into Tuesday morning as temperatures will remain below freezing in the upper teens.

Make sure you have both the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather and news apps to keep an eye on the Futuretrack and any closings that may pop up as schools will be back in session this week following the Thanksgiving holiday.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After a nearly seven-hour-long standoff early Sunday, police arrested a man in south Columbia.

A report of “shots fired” in the area of Sieville Avenue around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday led to an overnight standoff at an apartment building, Columbia Police Department spokesman Colin Imhoff said. No injuries were reported.

CPD posted on Sunday afternoon stating the standoff was connected to a scene in Boone County earlier that night. According to the post, police responded to a shots fired call in the 5600 block of Lightpost Court around 10:50 p.m.

Initial investigations led them to the 200 block of Sieville Avenue, where the suspect– Rodquel Jones, 21, of Columbia– was taken into custody around 6:30 a.m. by CPD’s SWAT team.

Rodquel Jones

The post says Jones barricaded himself inside of his home and refused to come out. He was arrested on charges of felony stealing, felony resisting arrest, armed criminal action, first-degree harassment and unlawful use of a weapon.

An ABC 17 News reporter arrived on scene around 2:30 a.m. and saw at least 15 CPD vehicles and a Bearcat SWAT vehicle surrounding the area.

An officer could be heard over a loud speaker saying, “Anyone inside apartment A4 needs to come outside.”

Repeated calls over the speaker yielded no results.

Around 5 a.m., officers broke a sliding glass door to the apartment. A cellphone was later thrown inside of the home and the suspect was asked to use it to talk with police.

At the scene, Imhoff told ABC 17 News that there was no threat to the public but that surrounding units had been evacuated.

CPD said it was “investigating a shots fired call” in the 200 block of Sieville Avenue at 3:15 a.m. and asked people to avoid the area in a Facebook post.

At least three police cars were seen on Sieville Avenue, and at least six more were along the road that runs perpendicular to it, Madrid Lane. An MU ambulance was also on scene.

A Boone County Joint Communications alert said East El Cortez Drive and Madrid Lane were closed in the area just before 12:45 a.m. An ABC 17 News reporter said Balboa Road was also closed just before 3 a.m.

Law enforcement left the scene a little after 8 a.m.

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Nia Hinson

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

There was a large police presence in Boone County late Saturday night.

An ABC 17 News reporter on scene saw roughly 20 Columbia Police Department vehicles on Lightpost Court in Boone County, just east of Columbia just before 11 p.m. A Boone County Sheriff’s Office vehicle was also on scene.

A neighbor told ABC 17 News they went outside for about an hour after they saw a large police response. The neighbor said they witnessed a group of people being escorted from a home by officers. That same group was later seen being questioned by police by an ABC 17 News reporter at the scene.

Neighbors also reported seeing officers enter and search a home on the 5900 block of Lightpost Court.

Several CPD vehicles were seen along South Rolling Road, and appeared to be monitoring the back of the home involved.

ABC 17 News is working to learn more information.

Check back for updates.

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Nia Hinson

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

A person who was wanted by the Fulton Police Department is now in custody, according to a Saturday afternoon social media post.

According to the post, police were searching for a suspect who was allegedly involved in an incident in the 1400 block of Bluff Street. Police said the person possibly left in a gray 2004 Ford F-150 and urged people in the community not to approach them.

Police later said the suspect was located in the Auxvasse area and was taken into custody.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The first snowfall of the season created difficult driving conditions across Mid-Missouri on Saturday.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers are warning drivers to slow down after the season’s first snow led to a string of crashes across Mid-Missouri.

ABC 17 News traveled to Jefferson City, Columbia and Moberly Saturday evening to track how the snowfall impacted road conditions across the region. Based on observations, Moberly appeared to take the hardest hit, with noticeably more snow still covering roads compared to surrounding cities. Some drivers said they were frustrated.

“I don’t like snow,” Moberly resident Brittany Dye said.

In Jefferson City and Columbia, most of the snowfall melted after afternoon rain. But in Moberly, several areas still had visible accumulation late into the evening.

Terry Martan, who stopped for gas on his way back from holiday travel, said conditions were challenging on the interstate.

“I was traveling back on I-70 from Hermann and it’s just really crazy through there,” Martan said. “There’s a lot of traffic during the holidays and then the trucks are all on the move. With the snow and the rain and the barricades on both sides, it really made it tight to get through.”

An ABC 17 News reporter saw multiple tow trucks working on clearing parking lots and side streets.

Some Moberly drivers said the city worked quickly to clear major roads, but noted that residential streets still needed attention.

“They’re pretty good with the main roads,” driver Dewella Shuck said. “Side roads — I mean, it’s typical. They get to it when they can, but it’s not too bad.”

According to a social media post, MSHP’s Troop F responded to:

65 calls for service

20 stranded motorists

26 non-injury crashes

4 injury crashes

As of 8:30 p.m., MoDOT’s road conditions map listed most Mid-Missouri roads as clear. Randolph and Montgomery counties were listed as mostly clear, while parts of Audrain County remained partly covered.

Around 4:50 a.m., a driver on Highway 54 westbound at County Road 110 skidded on a snow-covered road, hit an embankment and overturned, according to an MSHP crash report. The driver, a 43-year-old man, suffered minor injuries and was taken to University Hospital. Damage to the 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was described as “extensive.”

An ABC 17 News reporter saw several cars that were stuck in the snow from Mexico to Montgomery City while driving from 5-10 a.m. Saturday.

One of which was a semi-tractor-trailer that rolled over on the side of I-70 eastbound near mile marker 152, just outside of Kingdom City. The reporter saw about three MSHP vehicles at the scene around 9:15 a.m.

The patrol posted to its X about the incident. The post says the tractor-trailer truck will remain on the side of the road until conditions clear.

🚨Rollover Crash on I-70 at 153 MM🚨

Troopers are investigating an injury crash involving a tractor trailer on eastbound I-70, east of Kingdom City, in Callaway County.

The truck has been pushed off I-70 and will remain roadside until conditions improve for it to be towed. pic.twitter.com/rd3DwTx8ip

— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) November 29, 2025

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Euphenie Andre

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A peaceful march unfolded in Jefferson City on Friday night, bringing together friends, family and community members to honor the late Erik Spencer II.

The event comes nearly a month after Spencer was shot and killed outside an Old Navy store while visiting Jefferson City for Lincoln University’s homecoming.

The march on Friday began at 4:30 p.m., with participants making their way from the Cole County Prosecutor’s Office to the steps of the Missouri Capitol. The crowd of roughly 20 people carried a strong, unified message: Justice for Erik.

From heartbroken friends and family to concerned community members, everyone present expressed a desire for answers.

“We need justice… please,” Spencer’s stepfather Sean Reynolds said.

Supporters spoke out about seeking transparency in the case.

“I just want to see change, you know, with stuff like this,” Thomas Barton, a supporter, said. “You know it’s 2025, and for things to be still going on like this without answers is just completely unacceptable.”

An incident report in previous reporting details the moments leading up to the shooting through calls to emergency dispatchers. The narrative said callers reported a man and woman in an argument before the shooting, which shattered plate glass in the front of the Old Navy store.

Spencer’s family continues to call for answers as the investigation moves forward.

“We know it’s an ongoing investigation, but you know, we just need some answers. Erik don’t deserve this,” Reynolds said.

Friday marked the second public event following a balloon release held on Nov. 11 in Erik’s memory. The march, organized by his sister Ka’leen Spencer, was supported by Jefferson City police officers who helped guide the group and ensure their safety as they moved through the streets, while Ka’leen voiced the family’s ongoing frustrations.”

“We’re here to demand transparency, to demand some answers,” she said.

The marchers carried signs and raised their voices, leaving no question about their purpose.

“We want to know the truth. I think that we deserve that. I think that the community deserves that and that my brother deserves justice,” Ka’leen Spencer said.

The march took place just one day after Thanksgiving, a holiday the Spencer family said felt incomplete without Erik.

“We’ve had my brother with us every holiday and he is the glue to our family,” Ka’leen Spencer said. “He’s the jokester, he’s the one that brings the party, he’s the one that brings the laughter and all of that. So to not have that I think that impacted our family greatly.”

Ka’leen Spencer said she hasn’t been able to fully grieve her brother’s death because she is focused on pursuing justice.

“If we had more answers, but at this time I think that I’m more concerned for getting justice and getting answers and then we’ll start the grieving process,” she said.

Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson told ABC 17 News on Friday that the investigation remains active and the family is being kept informed, but no additional details can be released at this time in order to protect the integrity of the case.

The family plans to attend Monday night’s Jefferson City Council meeting, inviting supporters to join them as they seek answers from officials. Following the meeting, a vigil will be held for Erik at 7 p.m. at 3535 Missouri Boulevard—the same location where he was shot and killed—marking one month since his passing.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two teenagers were seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash Thursday on Jones Road in Pettis County, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

The report says a 2003 Nissan Xterra was heading northbound when it went off the right side of the road. The driver — an 18-year-old woman from La Monte, Missouri – overcorrected several times before the vehicle overturned and stopped on its side, the report says. One passenger was ejected from the vehicle, the report says.

The report says a 16-year-old girl from Zillah, Washington, had serious injuries and was flown to Research Hospital, while the 18-year-old woman also had serious injuries, but was brought to Centerpoint by ambulance. Neither of them wore seatbelts, according to the report.

A 20-year-old man from Palmer, Alabama, had minor injuries, but was not transported to a hospital, the report says. It is not known if the man wore a seatbelt.

The vehicle was totaled.

MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 14-person snow plow crew reported for duty at 7 p.m. Friday as the first impactful snowfall of the season is expected to come through the area, according to a social media post from the city.

A few inches of snow are possible throughout Mid-Missouri early Saturday, prompting the ABC 17 News Stormtrack Weather Team to call for a Weather Alert Day.

“Public Works staff will continue monitoring the storm as it tracks primarily north of Columbia. If the front shifts south, additional resources will be activated. Extra crew members are on standby. A daytime crew is scheduled to report at 7 a.m. Saturday to continue monitoring conditions,” a social media post from the City of Columbia Public Works says.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is also prepping for the potential snowfall, with areas north of Boone County expected to get more precipitation with 2-4 inches.    

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Transportation is preparing for Mid-Missouri’s first snowstorm of the season to hit this Thanksgiving weekend.

An ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Day has been issued for Friday night through Saturday for the potential for the first accumulating snowfall of the season.

The heaviest snow will fall northeast of Columbia, where 2 to 4 inches is possible in places like Macon, Moberly, Mexico, Paris and Montgomery City. A quick changeover in Boonville, Columbia and Jefferson City will bring a mix of rain and snow, and a trace to 2 inches of snow is possible.

Mostly rain is expected at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Jason Shafer, MoDOT Central District maintenance engineer, said the possibility of rain before the snow can make it harder to successfully pretreat the roads.

“Treating in advance, it’s just going to get washed off the roads. So you know we’re going to go into it being prepared for whenever the weather does change, and you know that’s still quite effective,” Shafer said.

Shafer said MoDOT uses melting salts and beet juice for its road treatments. Drivers will be rotating around the clock every 12 hours, Shafer said.

There are still several unfilled driver openings, but Shafer says the number of openings is less than in previous years.

“We’re still down statewide by several hundred,” Shafer said. “Everyone’s had very comprehensive training as far as what to do during these storms, so everyone’s prepared.”

Drivers have been training since September and October.

AAA projects 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period. AAA projects at least 73 million people will travel by car — that’s nearly 90% of Thanksgiving travellers and an additional 1.3 million people on the road compared to last Thanksgiving. 

“If your trip normally takes you 3 hours, plan on 3.5 hours. I mean, maybe even plan for four hours,” said Jon Nelson, MoDOT’s state highway safety and traffic engineer. “I think if people go into it with the mindset like, hey, this may take a little bit more time that’s gonna help them be patient as drivers.”

Freezing air will also move in once rain and snow end Saturday evening, so any roads that are still wet or slushy will freeze by Sunday morning.

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