Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Audrain County man pleaded guilty on Monday to multiple counts in relation with a fatal crash in July, according to a press release from the Audrain County prosecutor’s office.

Joshua Frye, 24, of Mexico, Missouri, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated resulting in the death of two people, reckless driving and DWI causing serious injury.

The release from Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellaberger says Frye must complete a 120-day treatment program and could be released while serving five years of probation if he completes the course. Otherwise, a 15-year prison sentence is on the table. Shellaberger wrote that the families of the victims opposed Frye’s plea agreement.

“The victim’s families spoke at sentencing, indicating they wanted Frye to face the maximum possible punishment, that they would never see their family members again, and that it was unjust that Frye would get to walk free again,” Shellabarger said in the release. “Those family members opposed the plea agreement, wanting Joshua Frye to serve prison time without the treatment program or possibility of probation.”

Frye admitted to killing Austin Terry, 27, and Kristian Pritchett, 22, and seriously injuring another man on July 12.

Court documents in previous reporting indicate that both Pritchett and Terry were in the car with Frye. Court documents allege that Frye drove a Kia Soul southbound on Clark Street when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a Chrysler in the northbound lane.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged with several felonies after he allegedly caused several serious injuries for people in another vehicle after a crash on Oct. 3.

D’Angelo Larkin was charged Monday in Boone County with three counts of second-degree assault, one count of leaving the scene of an accident and three counts of armed criminal action. An initial court appearance was scheduled for Monday afternoon and a $75,000 bond was set, according to court filings. He was not listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster on Monday afternoon.

The probable cause statement says first responders were called to North Providence Road and Interstate 70 East around 8 p.m. Oct. 3. Three people inside of a Kia were seriously injured and a Tesla Model 3 was at the scene, but its driver was not there. The Tesla was allegedly registered to Larkin and his wallet was found in the vehicle, the statement says.

Three people in the Kia were brought to University Hospital. Two of the victims were not able to recall details from the crash and injuries including broken jaws, broken pelvises, broken ribs and spinal injuries were described in court documents. The driver of the Kia was unable to speak after several days because he had been on a ventilator, the statement says.

Larkin allegedly spoke with police on Oct. 9 and claimed he caused the crash while he was looking for his cellphone, the statement says. He claimed he had a friend pick him up from the scene because he was scared, according to court documents.

Multiple witnesses reported they saw Larkin’s vehicle take off in a street race against a Dodge Charger and that the Tesla had weaved in-and-out of traffic while going at high speeds, the statement says. Vehicle data from the vehicle indicated it was going around 65-80 miles per hour at the time of the crash, the statement says.

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Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than six years after a string of homicides and gun violence struck Columbia, police and the former mayor spoke with ABC 17 News about a violent September.

“I think I referred to it at the time as a hurricane of violence that was circling our community,” former Columbia Mayor Brian Treece said. “At the time, it seemed like the east side was fighting with the west side and would send a shooter, and if that person perished, another one would fill their shoes.”

Treece was the mayor of the City of Columbia from April 2016 to April 2022.

“There was a lot of back and forth in a relatively short period of time,” Treece said. “It just seemed like [there was] tension in our community.”

Nadria Wright and Sam Baldwin: Sept. 13, 2019

Columbia Police say they responded to a shooting at 11:55 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, near Forest and Grand avenues.

Officers found 18-year-old Nadria Wright and 28-year-old Sam Baldwin IV with life-threatening injuries after they were shot. Wright was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Police say Baldwin was the target of a “rival gang” in the shooting, and Wright was a “criminally uninvolved” passenger in the car.

A photo of Nadria Wright on a blanket shown to ABC 17 News in March 2021, when the station spoke with her mother, Shaunda Hamilton.

In March 2021, Javion Lawhorn entered an Alford plea in court to second-degree assault and first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Under an Alford plea, a defendant admits the state has evidence for a conviction but does not admit guilt. Lawhorn also pleaded guilty to an unrelated misdemeanor resisting arrest charge. He was sentenced to one year in prison, concurrent with the seven years served for second-degree assault and first-degree involuntary manslaughter.

Lawhorn spent three years behind bars for his charges. In November 2024, he was charged with aggravated fleeing after he was involved in a high-speed chase with Boone County deputies. Law enforcement reported the chase reached speeds of 137 miles per hour.

Baldwin was killed in a Boone County shooting in April 2023 the 4300 block of West Bellview Drive off Scott Boulevard. A 5-year-old child was also shot.

Sam Baldwin IV (Credit: Parker-Millard Funeral Service and Crematory)

E’quan Spain: Sept. 14, 2019

Just hours after Wright and Baldwin were shot, officers responded to a report of shots fired at 2:06 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, near Fifth and Park avenues. Police say officers were told a person had been shot and was taken to the hospital. Nineteen-year-old E’quan Spain was later pronounced dead.

E’quan Spain (Credit: H.T. May & Sons Funeral Home)

On Friday, Sept. 20, Columbia Police said they arrested 28-year-old Michael L. Anderson III on charges of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action in connection with Spain’s death. Court documents state that Anderson fatally shot Spain as multiple men were shooting from a vehicle in September. Spain was hit by a bullet from inside the vehicle and later died, according to court documents.

In February 2020, Anderson died in the South Central Correctional Center in Licking.

Aaron Harris pleaded guilty in late April 2021 to first-degree involuntary manslaughter in Spain’s death. Police said Harris was driving a car when his passenger, Anderson, accidentally shot Spain in the backseat. Harris was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Kejuane Marshae Johnson: Sept. 18, 2019

Police responded at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, to the 3400 block of James Dale Road, and found a man had been shot inside a home. Twenty-three-year-old Kejuane Marshae Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. According to CPD Lt. Matt Gremore, police later ruled this as a justified shooting.

Kejuane Marshae Johnson (Credit: Parker-Millard Funeral Service and Crematory)

Danielle Marine and Antonio Houston: Sept. 22, 2019

Around 3:10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, officers were sent to a shooting scene at the corner of McKee Street and Rice Road. In the front and side yard of the home, officers found 33-year-old Danielle Marine and 36-year-old Antonio Houston with gunshot wounds. They were both taken to the hospital and were pronounced dead.

Police say several shell casings and evidence were collected at the scene. To this day, no one has been arrested for their deaths.

Families of Houston and Marine told ABC 17 News they miss their loved ones dearly. Houston’s sister, Kisha Houston, said Antonio left behind six children, while Marine’s sister, Shemeca Marine, said she left behind three children. Shemeca Marine said she wants justice for her sister.

“We know we can’t bring our loved ones back,” she said. “But we know we can let them be at peace and rest, and our lives can at least be at ease a little bit, knowing that who done this to my sister is paying the consequences of their actions.”

Antonio Houston and Danielle Marine (Credit: Kisha Houston and Shemeca Marine)

James Hickem: Sept. 25, 2019

Just three days after Marine and Houston were killed, police were sent to a shots heard call on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in the area of McBaine Avenue and Duncan Street. Police found 23-year-old James Hickem with gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Police say they collected evidence at the scene.

To this day, Columbia Police have not made any arrests in Hickem’s case.

James Hickem (Credit: Parker-Millard Funeral Service and Crematory)

Gremore said during this time, Columbia was a very violent place. He compared it to a gang war.

“You’re begging for information to come in,” Gremore said. “There’s a lot of work that has to be done and not a lot of time to do it. And with [the] amount of calls coming in for the detective unit, you’re just having to prioritize that. And you don’t have time to work any of the other cases that were coming in.”

Gremore said he believes some of these shootings are connected.

“I would hear of a shooting on the radio and I was shocked at the amount of violence that was happening,” Gremore said. “There’s always calls for shootings, but they don’t always have a victim…and so that stretch, that was very unusual.”

But looking at the case of Danielle Marine and Antonio Hoston, Gremore said he does not believe this case is linked to any of the other shootings during this time frame.

Treece said he was impressed with how the Columbia Police Department handled the investigations.

“I’ve always felt safe in Columbia, and I thought my job as mayor was to make it safer,” Treece said. “I was so impressed with the role of our Columbia Police Department.”

Treece noted the city had sworn in a new police chief in the midst of these shootings. Geoff Jones was sworn in as police chief on Sept. 16, 2019.

“He [Jones] was new in that role, [but] certainly not new to the police department,” Treece said. “But you had a lot of energy, you had a lot of, morale was high at the police department. There was a desire to solve and prevent these type of cases. But there were a few takeaways that kind of came out of that period.”

One takeaway is that there’s always someone else to fill the shoes of a shooter, and “a shooting victim is more likely statistically to be a shooter themselves in the future,” Treece said. He said this drove a lot of intervention with shooting victims to talk them out of retaliation.

A study on childhood trauma exposure and gun violence risk factors among victims of gun violence found that victims of gun violence have a higher risk of being involved in gun violence again.

Treece said another takeaway is that most of these shootings stemmed from personal issues people have with each other, meaning they were not random. He said there was a lot of community outrage over the violence and he felt residents wanted more policing following these shootings.

“They wanted more policing in their neighborhoods, and I think that was certainly was the precipitating factor for us in forming the Violent Crimes Task Force.”

The task force was formed in 2020 and was made up of Columbia police officers, University of Missouri police officers, ATF agents and Boone County sheriff’s deputies. Treece said that when it was in effect, the task force recovered 55 guns from people who were prohibited from having them.

The task force was later disbanded after the state of Missouri passed the Second Amendment Preservation Act, which prevented local law enforcement from enforcing federal gun laws.

Treece said he believes the task force helped the city and “got gun crimes out of the street and into the courtroom.”

CPD is investigating 17 unsolved homicide cases with 19 victims dating back to 1985. ABC 17 has covered six cases under our reporting of “Mid-Missouri’s Cold Case Files.”

Michael Walker Jr. & Jeffery Jones

Garbrielle Rhodes

George Showalter

Virginia ‘Ginger’ Davis

Edmond ‘Ricky’ Randolph Jr.

Jamar Hicks

Watch the latest “Mid-Missouri’s Cold Case Files: The Case of Antonio Houston and Danielle Marine” at 10 p.m. Wednesday on ABC 17 News.

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Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City council member said he plans to run for Cole County’s top election official next year.

Jeff Ahlers filed paperwork on Nov. 3 with the Missouri Ethics Commission to run for Cole County Clerk in 2026. Ahlers said he plans to run for the Republican nomination in August’s primary to replace longtime clerk Steve Korsmeyer.

Ahlers was elected to the Jefferson City Council in 2023, representing Ward 1. His current term ends in 2027.

Ahlers said he has always been interested in working on elections and has enjoyed the times he has helped the office in the past. He said he hopes to continue with Korsmeyer’s staff if elected.

State Rep. David Griffith (R-Jefferson City) has also announced his intention to run for clerk. Griffith is in his final term in the Missouri House of Representatives.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City woman was arrested on Saturday morning after authorities say she threatened to kill her two children while she was livestreaming on TikTok.

Elena Lujan, 30, was charged with child abuse. She is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. An arraignment was scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The probable cause statement says police were called to an apartment building before 2 a.m. Saturday after Lujan allegedly made multiple threats to beat and kill her two children while she was livestreaming on TikTok.

The Missouri Information Analysis Center provided law enforcement with a video in which Lujan seemed to make multiple threats, including “I will kill her, it won’t even be a beating, I’ll kill her and then you’ll be the reason why she’s dead,” according to the probable cause statement.

Lujan also was allegedly recorded saying the prospect of going to jail is what prevented her from hurting the children, the statement says.

Police went to the residence and found Lujan passed out in the children’s room and it took several minutes to wake her, the statement says. One of the children was asleep on the couch and another child was asleep in a bedroom, the statement says.

Police wrote that an open bottle of tequila was seen in the kitchen and broken glass was on the floor. Lujan allegedly spit at an officer and refused to provide a breath sample, court documents say.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt voted Sunday evening to advance the federal funding bill. The Senate is expected to hold a final vote Monday night, moving one step closer to ending what’s become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The vote Sunday marked a major breakthrough for the GOP, with eight Senate Democratic centrists voting with Republican lawmakers to advance the bill, 60-40. According to ABC, the current funding bill does not have any Democratic demands on expiring health care tax credits.

However, Republican leaders say they will allow a vote in December on a bill to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, a program that is generally opposed by GOP lawmakers. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer previously proposed a one-year extension of the credits to reopen the government, which Republicans rejected.

If left to expire, millions of Americans on Affordable Care Act health insurance plans will lose government funding, with middle- to lower-income consumers expected to be hit the hardest.

If approved in a final vote by the Senate, the House is set to review and vote on the bill. House members have been given a 36-hour notice to return to D.C.

“I’m glad that a handful of Democrats have finally decided to join me and my Republican colleagues in voting to reopen the government to pay our federal workers and restore benefits for hardworking Missouri families,” Schmitt said in a statement. “Democrats held the American people hostage for 40 days just to prove they are the ‘resistance,’ and they can ‘fight’ Trump, and now it’s time we get back to work.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (Tarkio) expects the House Republicans to lead the vote.

“I think the House, we have the votes, we’re not going to depend on any Democrats to support it, but I think there will be many that support it,” Graves said. “The biggest thing is, is we need to get the government open again, so that we can get the committees back functioning again, we can get back to regular floor activity, and that is something that is vitally important.”

In a statement Monday, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) criticized the Senate’s deal, adding he will not support the legislation when it gets to the House.

“The legislation proposed in the Senate will ensure that tens of thousands of my constituents see their health care premiums skyrocket, some by more than double what they are today,” Cleaver said. “That is a heartless way to govern.”

Sunday evening, Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Onder (Lake St. Louis) replied to an X post from political commentator Lisa Boothe that criticized the Affordable Care Act.

“Obamacare is a miserable failure, and unaffordable, even with the COVID subsidies,” the post said.

Obamacare is a miserable failure, and unaffordable, even with the COVID subsidies. https://t.co/uNJJBHFYfb

— Dr. Bob Onder (@BobOnderMO) November 10, 2025

Also on Sunday evening, U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-St. Louis) replied to an X post from journalist Jake Sherman criticizing the Senate Democrats’ decision.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if it doesn’t help working families in St. Louis, count me out,” Bell’s account posted.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if it doesn’t help working families in St. Louis, count me out. https://t.co/UFOlIbMHus

— Congressman Wesley Bell (@RepWesleyBellMO) November 9, 2025

U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Ozark) also criticized the Affordable Care Act in an X post Saturday.

“While Democrats double down on Obamacare, we’re crafting a real solution one built on competition, choice, and transparency. A free market healthcare reform that lowers costs and restores patient freedom,” the post states.

While Democrats double down on Obamacare, we’re crafting a real solution one built on competition, choice, and transparency.

A free market healthcare reform that lowers costs and restores patient freedom.

That’s how we win the future.

— Eric Burlison (@EricBurlison) November 9, 2025

On Friday, Cleaver also voiced concern about the bill on X.

“Americans are seeing their premiums skyrocket because Republicans would rather shut the government down than extend tax credits that help working-class families afford their health care,” the post states.

Americans are seeing their premiums skyrocket because Republicans would rather shut the government down than extend tax credits that help working-class families afford their health care.

The people deserve better.https://t.co/vkLASOGG1t

— Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (@repcleaver) November 7, 2025

The next step for the Senate is voting on how long to debate before voting on the final bill. Meanwhile, SNAP benefits remain in legal limbo, with airports seeing staffing issues as the shutdown continues.

Those issues have caused some flight delays at Columbia Regional Airport. One flight that was scheduled to depart in the afternoon on Monday had been pushed back until nearly midnight.

State Representative David Tyson Smith (D – Columbia) shares the sentiment of other democrats criticizing the senators who jumped party lines, adding that now is the time for the party to stand strong.

“When you see people in solidarity, then all of a sudden people just break rank with no explanation, it’s usually because they’re being offered something behind the curtain,” Smith said. “They [Senate Democrats] sold America out, it was the wrong thing to do, this is a time for courage and a time to have backbone and I’m embarrassed for our country that they would do that, we’ve suffered for so long, almost 40 days, and so hopefully the house holds and it’s not over yet.”

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia is considering a special taxing district for Business Loop 70 that would divert taxes from future development to the companies undertaking those projects.

Columbia City Council members met Monday morning to discuss implementing tax incremental financing as a way to revitalize the Business Loop.

City Manager De’Carlon Seawood said city officials worked alongside the Business Loop Community Improvement District to determine the possible district boundaries.

Tax incremental financing, or TIF, generates revenue through sales and property taxes. The revenue generated in the TIF district is reinvested in private development.

Andy Struckhoff with PGAV Planners provided the presentation to council members Monday. Struckhoff said property outside the TIF district could also benefit from the TIF.

The property value of the outlined area is calculated, and that number is used as the base value. The base value is frozen during the TIF period to calculate taxes. As properties in the district are redeveloped or as new development is built and values increase, new tax revenue is generated, with some of it going back to developers.

Struckhoff said establishing a district takes about six months. First, a city has to establish a TIF commission and a redevelopment area. A period of hearings for public input follows.

Presentation on Business Loop 70 TIF districtDownload

After that, a redevelopment plan is put together along with a cost-benefit analysis. The final step is approving redevelopment or new development projects; the projects must be approved within 10 years of the TIF’s approval.

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said the city already has a TIF commission in place.

A TIF cannot be in place for more than 23 years, but that clock doesn’t start until the redevelopment plans are approved. The end goal is that once a TIF expires, the new or revitalized developments can finance themselves along with the extra funds left over from the tax revenue generated by the TIF.

Struckhoff said any redevelopment plan has to reflect the community’s desire for development in an area, according to Missouri law. He explained how the Business Loop’s current community improvement district could work hand in hand with a TIF district to help generate more revenue. Struckhoff said it’s common to pair the two together.

Struckhoff also introduced the idea of a transportation development district for the Business Loop. The transportation district would be in place for 40 years and could only be used for transportation infrastructure such as sidewalks, parking garages and roads. Revenue is generated by a sales or property tax.

The city of Columbia already has 16 transportation districts, three community improvement districts and two TIF districts in place.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Tigers women’s basketball team is 2-0 as they get ready for a game at home Tuesday.

The women will host Arkansas State at Mizzou Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the game will stream on SEC Network+.

Watch a news conference about preparation for the game here.

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Haley Swaino

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man suspected of shooting a 23-year-old woman outside his Moberly home appealed to his law enforcement background, lack of criminal history and his “litany of medical issues” as reasons he is not a danger or a flight risk.

David Kip Heyde, 68, of Moberly, has been released from the Macon County Jail after posting $100,000 bond, according to the jail. He is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Bailey Scott.

Court records show his bond was reduced to $100,000 on Friday. Heyde also waived his right to a jury trial on Friday, and a bench trial was scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 6, 2026.

Scott’s friend Lyndsey Smith was in the courtroom Friday.

“I remember just getting up after he [Judge Robert Koffman] said that 100,000 and walked out,” Smith said. “I mean, obviously I came back in because I had to, but it’s just that gut wrenching feeling that even though they feel like he’s not a danger to the community, he is. Because if he felt like he could do it once, he could do it again.”

The motion to reduce bond for Heyde listed six reasons why he should be granted bond, including that he suffers from multiple medical issues that require him to go to the VA in Columbia regularly.

Def. Motion to Modify BondDownload

It also says Heyde served two decades as a law enforcement officer and has no criminal history. Heyde has an expired peace officer’s license, and City of Moberly records say he was once an employee there. Further details about his employment were not available because records more than 20 years old are not maintained.

Smith said she believes Heyde was able to use his history in law enforcement to his advantage.

“He was in law enforcement, that doesn’t matter,” Smith said. “Murder’s wrong at the end of the day.”

Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Luntsford said the judge made it clear he was considering two specific things when looking at bond.

“Is the defendant a flight risk or will his appearances be secured. And two, whether or not there is a risk to public safety,” Luntsford said.

Luntsford said the state requested that no bond remain in place.

Heyde’s release has left some Moberly residents shocked and angry. An ABC 17 News reporter saw two separate vehicles drive by Heyde’s home on Monday and yell things like, “murderer.”

Smith said losing her friend has been hard, but harder when her alleged killer is back home.

“It makes me sick,” Smith said. “I mean, he’ll be able to spend the holidays with his family. And Bailey’s not able to.”

Around 7:30 p.m. July 6, Moberly police were called to a report of shots being fired in the 900 block of East Logan Street, the probable cause statement says. Scott was found with a gunshot wound in her right torso.

Heyde told police he fired two shots at Scott, court documents say. He claimed self-defense, saying Scott hit him during an argument after she alleged he was “attempting to kill birds at the front of his property,” according to the probable cause statement.

Scott “had no obvious signs of trauma or injury to either of her hands,” the statement says. ABC 17 News spoke with neighbors the week of the shooting about ongoing allegations that Heyde put bird feed in the street in front of his home.

Heyde was arrested four days after the shooting and booked into the Randolph County Jail. He was transferred to the Macon County Jail, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. MSHP’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was asked by Moberly police to investigate the shooting.

Smith said the community will never stop fighting for Bailey.

“We’re not going to stop until she gets her justice,” Smith said. “We’re not going to. There is no ifs, ands or buts about it.”

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) held a news conference at the Capitol on Monday morning to talk about a deal reached between Senate Republicans and some Democrats to end the government shutdown.

More votes were set in the Senate, and House members have two days to return from their districts to vote on the measure.

Watch Jeffries’ news conference here.

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