Jefferson City High School construction worker faces criminal charges

Ryan Klein
Ryan Klein

A construction worker at Jefferson City High School on Union Street is facing criminal charges in connection with a dispute with another worker Saturday.

Ryan Klein, 39, of Lee's Summit, is charged with unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree harassment.

A Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement said officers were told the incident occurred in the 1100 block of Lafayette Street when Klein allegedly pulled up next to the co-worker's vehicle, rolled down his window, and had a 3- to 4-foot rifle on his lap.

The co-worker claimed Klein said he would shoot him because it was his fault for getting Klein sent home from the job. Klein allegedly said he would shoot the co-worker, pulled the rifle off his lap and pointed the barrel at him. The co-worker said a vehicle pulled up and believed he was blocked in without a way to escape.

Police talked with the driver of the vehicle, a supervisor at the construction site, who said he had told Klein to leave the job site and go back home. He said he was trying to see where Klein went and saw Klein's vehicle parked next to the co-worker's vehicle and pulled over. He said Klein noticed this and sped away from the area.

Klein was later found in Boone County and taken into custody. He reportedly was in possession of a Remington bolt-action rifle when he was arrested.