Jefferson City police: Woman fired gun to break up fight among juveniles

Jefferson City police continue to investigate a Tuesday incident of gunshots fired near the Lincoln University campus.

Officers responded just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to the 700 block of Clark Avenue just after 4:30 p.m. for a disturbance involving a weapon, where a large group of juveniles appeared to have been fighting, according to police reports.

The juveniles fled the area in several groups to avoid being detained, but several were located with assistance from the Lincoln University Police Department and the Cole County Sheriff's Office.

The initial investigation determined an adult woman had fired a handgun in an attempt to break up the fight that included one of her children.

The female suspect, Dixie Deluca, was taken into custody, and the firearm was recovered as evidence.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no formal charges had been filed against Deluca by the Cole County Prosecutor's Office.

Police investigators spent the majority of Wednesday identifying juveniles who were present as well as witnesses and potential suspects, but authorities said there had been no cooperation from those juveniles or their parents.