Graduation shooting victim’s friend speaks about safety protocols

CAPE GIRARDEAU Mo. (KBSI) – A friend of a victim of Sunday’s shooting during Cape Central’s graduation ceremony says he’s thankful his friend and other attendees are alive and safe. However, he and other community members question the future of safety protocols.

Andrew Mott says he’s relieved that his friend is alive and well, but he’s also frustrated for him, the families, and the students who attended Sunday’s graduation. He feels like students and families were robbed of a special moment.

“I mean it’s a senseless act to do that in such a place,” said Mott.

Ceremonies were cut drastically short after shorts were fired just before the ceremony. The man who was shot in the stomach is expected to recover. Witnesses say, the incident came to a head near the concession stand, the result of an ongoing feud.”

Now, a father and son from Cape Girardeau face charges. 20-year-old Kris Owens and his 41-year-old father Christopher. Christopher also faces charges of loitering within 500 feet of a school property as a registered sex offender.

Mott says, “For something that big of an event, there should’ve bee more security from the get-go provided by SEMO and Cape Public Schools knowing this is a massive event.”

According to a statement issued by Mayor Stacy Kinder: “I can only say that I know the city, the school district, and SEMO are all currently engaged in these facility assessments and reviewing protocols. The different organizations will make their own statements about any progress or changes being considered.”

“They do it for concerts, they do it for any event that’s held at the Show-Me Center but for an event like this – for our own community here they just had lack of security,” Mott added.

Cape students return to class on Wednesday, for a regularly scheduled half day of school. Counselors will be available for students again on Wednesday. School leaders say out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased police presence at each school building.

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