COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
University of Missouri President Mun Choi, in an email obtained by ABC 17 News, called on Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe to address violent crime, warning that if action isn’t taken, he will elevate the issue to Gov. Mike Kehoe.
Buffaloe, in response, listed actions the city government and Columbia Police Department have taken and plan to take.
Choi’s email — sent Saturday afternoon, just hours after a downtown shooting that left at least one bystander with critical injuries — was addressed to public officials, including Buffaloe, Columbia’s City Manager De’Carlon Seewood and Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson.
Choi claimed that crime in downtown Columbia has reached a crisis point and poses a risk for MU students, who are frequently downtown. Choi also identified one of the people injured in the Saturday morning shooting as a Stephens College student. Stephens College didn’t immediately respond to inquiries Sunday morning.
“Many community members and business leaders have shared these concerns with you. There’s been too much complacency and it’s time for you to act,” Choi wrote in the email.
Columbia police responded to the shooting just before 2 a.m. Saturday in the 900 block of East Broadway.
CPD said 23-year-old Misael Covarrubias of Fellsmere, Florida, was involved in an argument near Ninth and Broadway when he pulled out a gun and fired multiple times. He was arrested and appeared on the Boone County Jail roster Saturday evening without bond.
The people he was arguing with were not hit. Instead, three bystanders, a man and two women, were caught in the gunfire.
Choi’s email praised the Columbia Police Department; however, Choi also asked for an “honest examination” of current policies. The email adds that University of Missouri Police Chief Brian Weimer will offer all available staff to patrol downtown.
Choi listed immediate actions that should be taken during “this period of emergency:”
• More policing in downtown – give CPD the necessary resources and support.
• Hiring of more security officers.
• Elimination of policies and practices that attract criminals to the region.
• Passing of a loitering ordinance.
• Cleanup of encampments.
• Prosecution to the full extent of the law for crimes.
The email was also sent to several other Columbia and Boone County officials, including Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude and Boone County Commissioner Kip Kendrick. Choi emphasized that addressing the issue would take a collective effort from city and county agencies, the university and local businesses, asking for the creation of a task force to improve public safety.
“We cannot wait to have another tragic outcome due to complacency, delays and indecision,” Choi said.
The email includes an ultimatum, stating that if no action is taken by 5 p.m. Sunday, Choi will turn to Kehoe’s office for support.
Buffaloe responded to Choi on Saturday, thanking him for the message and saying downtown safety is an issue she takes seriously. ABC 17 News obtained her response Sunday.
Buffaloe also praised the city’s efforts in public safety, adding that there have not been any shooting incidents downtown since June 8. She wrote that CPD added eight officers to night patrols, a 20% increase in staffing since last summer.
The response also mentioned the city’s plans to focus on daytime issues, including the public’s interactions with homeless people.
Buffaloe wrote that she is interested in collaboration and the idea of a task force, requesting that Schlude be contacted for coordinating resources. She also called on local legislators to address systemic issues that relate to public safety.
“I would like to engage our state legislators in a conversation about gun control, since many of these incidents involve firearms — including individuals illegally in possession of them. This is an area where state-level action could provide crucial support to our local efforts,” Buffaloe said in the email.
Buffaloe announced on Facebook the creation of a task force Saturday.
“Keeping Columbia safe requires collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to action. I look forward to working together with our partners to ensure our community remains a safe and welcoming place for residents, students, and visitors alike,” the post read.