4 arrested after shots fired in store parking lot

COLUMBIA - Four suspects from Kansas City were arrested after gunshots were fired in the parking lot of a Phillips 66 convenience store at 1412 Rangeline St. early Wednesday morning, according to Columbia police.

The shots were fired at about 1:45 a.m. as an employee in the store was calling police to clear the lot, according a police news release.

"The parking lot was already pretty full by the time the clerk in the store called for officers," said Lt. Dianne Bernhard.

Both the 911 dispatcher and officers in the area heard the shots. When officers arrived, they found a vehicle matching one described by the employee and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle evaded officers but pulled over after a short pursuit.

Police detained all of the passengers and found that two had active warrants. Four suspects have now been arrested, according to a release.

All four listed Kansas City as their home address. Bernhard said police have not determined why they were in Columbia or whether the incident was gang related.

"We don't know of any (gang ties)," Bernhard said. "We don't know know what led up to the shooting or the disagreement."

Kyeir Theus, 22, has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault, armed criminal action, felony receiving stolen property, tampering, felony unlawful possession of a firearm and a felony warrant for second-degree burglary. His bond has yet to be set.

John C. Jones, 21, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of dangerous narcotics and on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon. His bond was set at $4,500.

Zebedee Creal, 22, was arrested on suspicion of abetting a person discharging a weapon from a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and traffic charges. His bond was set at $9,685.

Jazmine T. Creal, 20, was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and was released on a signature.

Officers found a stolen handgun in the car. Shell casings from the gun matched those found at the scene of the shooting. Other casings were also found at the parking lot, indicating that two guns were fired.