COLUMBIA, MO (KMIZ)

Through October, Colombia has seen an increase in gun crime compared to the same time period last year.

On Sunday, three people were shot in Downtown Columbia on East Broadway. Deandre Denny was accused Tuesday with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with the shooting.

Tuesday, a woman he was hospitalized after he was shot in Douglass Park. A news release said her injuries were not life-threatening. CPD shared a photo a person’s Wednesday it is said to be connected to shooting. He is considered armed and dangerous, the station said.

According to data from Missouri State Highway Patrolgun crimes saw a slight increase in October. In 2024, there were 327 gun-related crimes in Columbia, compared to 309 by the same point in 2023. Last year, there were 356 total gun-related crimes in the city.

Eight people were killed in 2024 due to gun crimes.

The Highway Patrol defines that as crimes involving the use of a firearm, automatic firearm, handgun, automatic rifle, shotgun, automatic rifle, shotgun, automatic rifle, other firearms and other automatic firearms.

There were also 321 non-fatal gun crimes. Most crimes occurred in a road, parking lot or campus area, according to the data. The data says that 50.6% of the victims were women, and most of the victims are between the ages of 18 and 24.

The data shows a fluctuation in the number from 2021.

2023:

• 5 deaths;
• 351 non-lethal firearms offences;
• Most victims between 25-34 years old;
• 513 violent crimes

2022:

• 9 deaths;
• 392 non-lethal firearms offences;
• Most victims between 18-24 years;
• 613 violent crimes;

2021:

• 5 deaths;
• 400 non-lethal firearms offences;
• Most of the victims are aged between 25-34;
• 652 total violent crimes;

According to the data, 2024 saw two more violent crimes, with 515, compared to 2023’s total of 513.

When asked about the recent string of shootings, Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe told ABC 17 News she would meet with police on Thursday, but could not provide an answer until after the meeting.

Ward 5 Councilman Donald Waterman told ABC 17 News he’s upset and saddened by the recent killings and said it’s something he needs to address. He said he knew a position had been posted for the city’s Office of Violence Prevention, but had no update on the status of the office.