COLUMBIA — "There is a crime crisis in Columbia."
Those are the words UM System President Mun Choi used to open a news conference Monday morning at Jesse Hall following a weekend shooting in downtown Columbia that left a Stephens College senior dead and two other people hurt.
Aiyanna Williams died Sunday afternoon from injuries she suffered during the shooting in the early hours of Saturday.
Williams, a Battle High School graduate, was studying nursing at Stephens College, and Choi said she worked part-time at MU Health Care gaining clinical experience on a cardiovascular care team.
A University of Missouri spokesperson confirmed that Choi and Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe met Monday. Choi said he's asked Buffaloe to meet to further discuss how to address what he called "a dangerous environment for citizens."
He added that solving the crime crisis will take a collective effort; city manager De'Carlon Seewood, Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson as well as Gov. Mike Kehoe will be involved in finding solutions, Choi said.
KOMU 8 reached out to Buffaloe, Seewood, Johnson and Columbia Office of Violence Prevention Administrator D'Markus Thomas-Brown and did not receive a response.
11 shots fired in Saturday's fatal downtown Columbia shooting, court documents say
Buffaloe wrote on Facebook Monday night that she met with Choi, along with Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude, MU Police Chief Brian Weimer and others to discuss safety downtown and throughout Columbia.
Buffaloe said the meeting included discussions of how to address underlying issues that cause gun violence, as well as how to address immediate concerns.
"I am committed to continuing these conversations and working with leaders like Mun Choi, Chief Weimer, Chief Jill Schlude, Office of Violence Prevention Administrator D’Markus Thomas-Brown, and more to reduce violence, address homelessness, and ensure students, families and business owners can all thrive downtown and elsewhere," Buffaloe wrote in the post.
Choi said he'd spoken to Kehoe over the weekend and that the governor has promised to assemble leaders from the city and university as well as other stakeholders to address crime related concerns. Choi said a date for that meeting has yet to be decided.
“This is not a blame game," Choi said. "We all have a responsibility. This is our community and we all have a responsibility to act.”
UM System President Mun Choi held a news conference Monday morning about crime in downtown Columbia following a weekend shooting that left a S…
Community responses
The Missouri Students Association, MU's undergraduate student government, released a statement Monday in response to the shooting.
"We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected, with our thoughts with the victims, friends, families and community impacted by these recent events," MSA wrote in the statement.
UM System president calls for better safety measures after Saturday shooting
In the statement, MSA directed students to on-campus resources.
"We recognize that such events can have a profound impact on the mental and emotional well-being of students," the release said. "During these challenging times, it is crucial to remember that support is available. The University of Missouri is committed to providing comprehensive health and well-being resources to assist students in navigating times such as these."
Columbia College also released a statement Monday:
“We are heartbroken by the tragic and senseless loss of Aiyanna Williams, a promising young student whose life was taken far too soon on Saturday. On behalf of Columbia College, we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the entire Stephens College community.
“Students come to Columbia to learn, grow and build a future. They deserve to feel safe both on campus and throughout our City. We must come together as educators, students, parents, neighbors and leaders to create a safer environment for everyone.
"We stand ready to support Stephens College President Dr. Shannon Lundeen as the Stephens community navigates this difficult time. We also support the efforts of University of Missouri President Dr. Mun Choi, who, along with many community leaders, is seeking meaningful change to ensure the safety of our city.”