Five people were taken into custody Saturday evening after gunshots were reported during a disturbance in eastern Jefferson City.
Officers responded at 4:55 p.m. to the 200 block of Riverside Drive to investigate reports of a theft that had just occurred, according to the Jefferson City Police Department.
Upon arrival, they found the male victim standing in the yard of a residence holding a firearm. He complied with officers' commands to lower the weapon.
The initial investigation determined that the victim had traveled to the 500 block of East Elm Street to purchase narcotics. During the attempted purchase, the victim's cell phone was taken from him. He then returned home and was followed by the five suspects for a yet-to-be-determined reason, police report.
Once back on Riverside Drive, a disturbance reportedly occurred involving the five subjects and the victim. The victim's father exited the residence and the suspects fled the scene. During the disturbance, the victim's cell phone was recovered. Several rounds allegedly were fired from a weapon during the disturbance, but police did not release information specifying who might have fired the shots.
Officers stopped the suspect vehicle, identified as a gray Toyota pickup, at approximately 5:50 p.m. on U.S. 50/63 near Lafayette Street where the five people believed to be involved in the disturbance were taken into custody.
Of the five, three adults eventually were taken to the Cole County Jail after attempts were made to interview them about their roles in the cell phone theft. Two juveniles also were taken into custody for "several violations" and were transported to the Prenger Family Center, police said.
Police did not release the identity of the victim or suspects. No injuries were reported from the disturbance. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call police at 573-634-6400 or Crimestoppers anonymously at 573-659-8477.