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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">October 6, 2021</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Jeff Pitts
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.817.5049
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
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<br />Toni Messina
<br />Communications and Outreach Supervisor
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7660
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones releases statement regarding Special Prosecutor's decision in officer-involved shooting, March 5, 2020</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones released the following statement on October 6, 2021, regarding the Special Prosecutor’s decision in an officer-involved shooting at 1707 Sun Ct.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"On October 1, 2021, I received a copy of Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher D. Wilson’s decision relating to events that occurred when Columbia Police officers attempted to arrest Curtis Haas on suspicion of first-degree child molestation. That encounter resulted in an exchange of gunfire between Mr. Haas and our officers and in Mr. Haas’ death from gunshot wounds.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following standard protocol, immediately after the event the three officers involved were put on administrative leave while investigations were conducted by the Department’s Internal Affairs Unit and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Mr. Wilson was appointed Special Prosecutor at the request of Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight. This, too, is a standard practice to avoid conflicts of interest.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In his letter, addressed to Missouri State Highway Patrol investigators and copied to me, Special Prosecutor Wilson states that he does not intend to file any criminal charges against any of the officers involved in the shooting. In his words:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">‘In light of these facts, it is clear to me that the officers were acting lawfully in their use of deadly force pursuant to Section 563.046, RSMo., and in defense of person (both self-defense and defense of a third person) pursuant to Section 563.031, RSMo.’</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Special Prosecutor’s decision brings some measure of closure to those involved in this matter. When an incident like this occurs, it affects the families of those killed or injured, the families of our officers and the community as a whole. I am thankful for the difficult work that our officers do each day to keep our community safe."</span></p>
<p><strong>Previous press release(s):</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia police investigate wanted suspect in the 1700 block of Sun Court on March 5</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=6624"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=6624</span></a></p></div>
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<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
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<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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