A man was hospitalized on Saturday evening following a shooting in southern Colombia.
Officers with the Columbia Police Department found an adult man with a gunshot wound at the Buffalo Wild Wings in East Nifong shortly before midnight, a spokesman confirmed.
The suspect, Alexis Gonzalez, was arrested for first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Police believe there is no immediate threat to the community.
Buffalo Wild Wings is closed Sunday for cleanup, a restaurant spokesperson told KOMU 8. The restaurant will remain closed until employees feel safe enough to return to work.
Don Johnson arrived at the restaurant to eat with his son on Sunday, unaware of the shooting the night before. Johnson said he was disappointed but not surprised when he learned of the shooting.
“I hope something can be done about this in the near future,” Johnson said. “You go somewhere to have a conversation and a meal, and then you find out we had to close the doors because of a shooting.”
Columbia police reported a 16.8% decrease in violent crime in the city compared to last year, with 510 crimes committed. Violent crime includes several categories, including aggravated assault, murder and robbery.
Nevertheless, the shooting is another milestone in a recent history of spectacular shootings, some of which ended fatally, in busy public places in Columbia.
A St. Louis man was shot in the parking lot of the Walmart on Conley Road in March and later died of his injuries. Two people were also charged after a shooting on Ninth Street in downtown Columbia on May 19 that left one person injured.
“Hopefully something can be done about it,” Johnson said. “Hopefully.”
The department is asking anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers at 573-875-8477. CrimeStoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest.
