Columbia MO security guard claims self defense in fatal shooting
Columbia MO Jan 9 2018
An altercation and a shooting by a security guard at a local Waffle House has led to one arrest but more charges could be filed in the incident.
In the early morning hours of January 1, 2018, an altercation began with an argument between two men inside the Waffle House on Vandiver drive.
One man pulled out a gun, and after a struggle the second man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.
That man was later taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
According to a court document, a security guard then entered Waffle House, ordered the men to drop the gun, and then continued to attempt to separate the two arguing men.
As the security guard was working to deescalate the situation, “several patrons of the business started to encroach on [the security guard],” including a man identified as AnthonyWarren, according to the document.
The security guard stated that he felt the oncoming patrons were a threat, “and in order to protect himself and the other customers,” the security guard fired one round that struck Warren, according to the document.
Warren later died of his injury. His death is the first homicide of 2018.
Before officers arrived, Jaylon Freelon, 20, allegedly took the gun that belonged to the man who was involved in the argument, exited the back door of the Waffle House and hid it in a grassy area.
Employees witnessed Freelon taking the firearm, and told officers when they arrived. The gun was later found by police.
Details of the event are described in the probable cause statement for Freelon, who is charged with tampering with physical evidence after he allegedly moved and hid a gun before officers arrived.
Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight said he could not comment on the situation on Monday afternoon.
Armed security guards must obtain licenses through the city of Columbia. A guard must be at least 21 years old, have no felony convictions within ten years of applying and pass a test put together by the police department on gun use and safety. If a guard uses their weapon, they must report the circumstances to the chief of police within 24 hours, according to the rules.
Warren’s family members say they are skeptical of the security guard’s story. The funeral home handling the ceremony told the family the bullet entered Warren’s side and exited through his stomach. Warren’s sister-in-law Misty Blumer said the nature of the wound leads her to believe that Warren was leaving the Waffle House when the guard shot him, rather than encroaching on the fight.
The family said they are planning a demonstration outside the Waffle House at 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.
