One person was killed and a Jefferson City Police Department officer was wounded after a vehicle chase that led to an officer-involved shooting Wednesday night.
A vehicle officers were attempting to locate in connection with earlier weapons violations was observed near West McCarty and Hughes streets at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday.
The officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver - Jamie Williams, 27, of Jefferson City - failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit began near West McCarty Street and Hughes Street and traveled throughout the city - to McCarty Street, Industrial Boulevard, Bolivar Street, Berry Street, Hart Street, West Miller Street, Brooks Street, U.S. 54 West, Madison Street, Stadium Boulevard, Monroe Street, Hickory Street and Jackson Street. Speeds allegedly reached as high as 70 mph.
Authorities said Williams stopped in the area of East Atchison and Jackson streets near Community Park and he and his passenger - Anthony Wilson, 28, of Jefferson City - fled on foot.
The preliminary investigation indicates the pursuing officers followed the suspects into a wooded area and a struggle ensued between Wilson and one of the officers.
During the struggle, Wilson allegedly produced a concealed handgun and fired two rounds at one of the officers. That officer was struck in the chest by the gunfire while the second officer returned fire, fatally striking Wilson in the torso.
Williams hid in the wooded area. A perimeter was created and additional officers, including one of JCPD's K-9 teams, responded to the area.
With the assistance of the Missouri Highway Patrol helicopter, Williams was found and taken into custody.
Authorities said Wilson and Williams were both on federal supervised release, sometimes called special or mandatory parole, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Authorities also said the weapon used by Wilson was found to have been stolen in a December burglary in Jefferson City. Wilson was also reportedly being sought for his role in several calls received Tuesday about shots fired around the city.
Williams was charged Thursday afternoon with second-degree murder, resisting arrest, driving while revoked and possession of a controlled substance.
Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson said a second-degree felony murder charge can be filed against a person because they were there when the shooting occurred, even though they may not have pulled the trigger.
Thompson said his office will review any all reports on the case.
JCPD asked the Highway Patrol to investigate the officer-involved shooting; the investigation has begun.
Members of the Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control and an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives interviewed Williams, according to the patrol's probable cause statement. Williams allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle and fleeing from officers and reportedly identified Wilson as his passenger.
"I want to thank MSHP for their willingness to assist us and their prompt and capable response when requested," JCPD Chief Roger Schroeder said. "An administrative investigation is also being conducted by our Office of Professional Standards, as provided within our regulations manual when circumstances such as this occur."
The officer involved in the shooting is on paid leave during the investigation, Schroeder said.
The officer who was shot Wednesday was released from the hospital Thursday.
"Everything looks very positive, and we expect a full recovery," Schroeder said.
Authorities said the officer was wearing a ballistic vest at the time of the shooting.
"Many dangers our officers face each day or night, during the course of their scheduled shift," Schroeder added. "We're very fortunate to serve an extremely supportive community, and we've already received many expressions of concern, each of which is appreciated more than one could know."
The officers involved in Wednesday night's incident were not named by JCPD, nor were they named in the Highway Patrol's probable cause statement.
The last incident involving a fatal shooting by a JCPD officer was in October 2017, Schroeder said. Two officers responded to a domestic disturbance that resulted in a confrontation with a man who charged at them with a pipe, and the officers shot the man. Then Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson determined the officers were justified in using deadly force in that case.
This article was updated at 1:35 p.m. and 4 p.m. April 16, 2020, with new information and at 2:30 p.m. April 17, 2020, to clarify information.