As the Missouri Highway Patrol investigates last week's fatal shooting of a reportedly armed man after a chase that started in Jefferson City and ended in Callaway County, authorities said it is likely a special prosecutor will be appointed to determine if criminal charges should be filed against the officers.
Jefferson City police officers attempted to stop Christopher Morris, 41, of Jefferson City, near West Schroeder Way and Broadway Street on Aug. 8, according to Jefferson City Police Department reports. Officers were trying to talk with Morris about a narcotics investigation.
Morris failed to stop, and the pursuit began and went into Callaway County. Once the tires on Morris' vehicle were disabled just north of New Bloomfield on U.S. 54, he exited the vehicle and reportedly fired at officers. He then fled into the wood line while continuing to exchange gunfire with officers, according to JCPD reports.
Law enforcement officers from several agencies created a perimeter and, before a search could start, Morris reappeared. Morris suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
A Jefferson City police officer and Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism were involved in the shooting.
"Once we complete the investigation, the reports will be turned over to the appropriate prosecutor who will make the determination on the shooting," Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. John Hotz said. "Once the determination is made by the prosecutor as far as whether charges are filed or not that will determine if the report is then opened or remains closed."
In most cases, Hotz said, the prosecutor in the county where the shooting occurred gets the case.
"Obviously, I have a close working relationship with Sheriff Chism, and I also serve as the county counselor for Callaway County and am called upon to defend the sheriff in some civil actions," Callaway County Prosecutor Christopher Wilson said. "Given those relationships, I intend to avoid any conflict of interest, actual or possible, and anticipate that I will request our court to appoint a special prosecutor from outside our county to review the investigative reports and make a decision about whether any charges will be filed."
Highway Patrol officials estimated it could be another couple of weeks before the investigation is complete.