Columbia police arrest armed man

The suspect was apprehended just north of Stephens College.

By Kathleen Pointer

Published Aug. 28, 2007

Columbia police have arrested a man who wielded a gun during a fight with a police officer, according to a news release.

Michael O. McQuitty, 33, was apprehended at 5:04 p.m. Sunday after a search that lasted about one hour. An officer who identified McQuitty's vehicle as one associated with recent drug sales initially approached McQuitty near 500 S. College Ave.

When the officer approached McQuitty and attempted to take him into custody because of an outstanding warrant, McQuitty resisted arrest and fled the scene after pulling a handgun, the release stated.

The search for McQuitty included members from the Columbia Police Department, Boone County Sheriff's deputies, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers and a dog unit.

According to the release, McQuitty was apprehended in the 400 block of Melbourne Street and was arrested for resisting arrest, operating a motor vehicle with a revoked driver's license and possession of marijuana.

According to the release, McQuitty did not fire the handgun, which has not been recovered.

Columbia Police Chief Randy Boehm said McQuitty is not believed have set foot on any of the college campuses, though he was apprehended just north of Stephens College.

Boehm said students were not put on alert at the school, but that if he had entered campus property, they would have taken definitive measures to assure student awareness and safety.

Stephens College spokeswoman Amy Gipson said because the suspect was not on campus, school officials were not involved in the incident.

MU police Capt. Scott Richardson declined to comment.