Felony cases filed in Columbia shooting investigation
Felony charges have been filed against two Columbia men arrested after a shooting Sunday evening at the Walmart on Grindstone Parkway, according to court records and police information. The incident prompted a large law enforcement response, temporarily closed access to the store and led officers to restrict movement through portions of the parking lot while evidence was collected.
Antory Tervez Lee King, 25, of Columbia, is charged with first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A court date had not been set as of Monday afternoon.
Michael Christopher Otey Jr., 27, of Columbia, faces charges of shooting at a vehicle, three counts of armed criminal action, two counts of first-degree assault and drug possession. He also is being held without bond at the Boone County Jail. Court records listed no scheduled court date for Otey as of Monday.
| Defendant | Charges listed | Custody status |
|---|---|---|
| Antory Tervez Lee King | First-degree assault; two armed criminal action counts; unlawful use of a weapon | Boone County Jail, no bond |
| Michael Christopher Otey Jr. | Shooting at a vehicle; three armed criminal action counts; two first-degree assault counts; drug possession | Boone County Jail, no bond |
What the probable cause statement says
The probable cause statement in King’s case says Columbia police responded to a shots-fired call at 6:40 p.m. Sunday. Officers reviewed surveillance video that allegedly showed a vehicle driven by a person identified in the document as “K.K.” circling the parking lot before people approached a Trailblazer, according to the statement.
The document alleges that a person identified as “M.C.O.” pointed at “K.K.” and shouted before approaching the area where King was seated. That person allegedly punched King in the face and ran back to another vehicle. The Trailblazer then left, according to the statement. The individuals are identified in court records by initials or abbreviated names.
“He hit my husband first, and my husband picked the gun up and shot him,” K.K. told officers, according to the probable cause statement.
The statement also says K.K. told officers she blocked another vehicle in an effort to get Walmart security’s attention. King allegedly told investigators he approached the vehicle to try to de-escalate the confrontation and said another person was holding the gun when he was punched. The filings describe allegations rather than findings of guilt, and the cases remain pending in court.
Store reopened after police response
Police taped off the Walmart parking lot shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday as officers investigated. People inside the store were evacuated through a side door, and customers were prevented from entering while the scene was secured. Officers later escorted people to vehicles parked in areas affected by the police perimeter. The Walmart was open again Monday morning.
The initial response included Columbia police officers, a crime scene investigation van and two University of Missouri ambulances, according to the earlier account of the scene. Witnesses described customers running toward the back of the store after someone shouted that shots had been fired. The investigation resulted in charges against both men, but authorities have not announced a court date or additional case disposition.
- Both defendants are charged in connection with the Sunday shooting investigation.
- Each defendant is being held without bond at the Boone County Jail.
- The Grindstone Parkway Walmart reopened Monday morning after the police response.
