A family shooting in Columbia, Missouri, ended with a pursuit across county lines, gunfire directed at a state trooper, and the death of the suspect after authorities tracked him down along U.S. Highway 63. Investigators say the violence began on the afternoon of May 7
A 911 call alerted Boone County authorities to a shooting involving members of the same family. One victim died at the scene, while another survived with injuries.
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Steven Swanson, fled before deputies arrived. Officers from multiple agencies joined the search as information about his vehicle was broadcast across the area.
Minutes later, authorities located Swanson driving a blue Ford Bronco. This set off a pursuit that would stretch from Boone County into Randolph County and culminate in an exchange involving gunfire and a tactical vehicle intervention.
911 Call Reveals Family Shooting
According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Boone County Joint Communications received a 911 call at approximately 1:18 p.m. from a woman at a residence in the 5100 block of North Douglas Drive in Columbia. The caller, a 65-year-old woman, told dispatchers that her 35-year-old son had been shot and was believed to be dead.
She also reported that she had been shot. Deputies arrived at approximately 1:24 p.m. and found the man dead. The woman was found with injuries and received medical attention.
While securing the scene, deputies learned that the suspect had fled before law enforcement arrived. Investigators identified the suspect as Steven Swanson, who was related to both victims. Authorities gathered information about the vehicle he was driving and relayed the description to officers responding throughout the area.
Officers Locate Bronco and Pursuit Begins
At approximately 1:27 p.m., a Boone County deputy traveling toward the shooting scene spotted a blue Ford Bronco matching the description of the suspect vehicle. The Bronco was traveling southbound on Highway PP north of Mexico Gravel Road.
The deputy immediately notified other responding units. A Columbia police officer positioned nearby attempted to stop the vehicle, but Swanson failed to yield and continued driving, prompting a pursuit.
The chase proceeded westbound on Mexico Gravel Road before turning onto Woodard Drive. The vehicle later entered northbound U.S. Highway 63. As the pursuit continued, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office assumed primary responsibility.
Assistance was provided by the Columbia Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Authorities deployed tire deflation devices during the chase, causing damage to the Bronco’s tires. Despite the damaged tires, the pursuit continued into neighboring Randolph County.
Gunfire During Tactical Vehicle Intervention
With the pursuit continuing along U.S. Highway 63, Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Brandon Harris executed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention in an effort to stop the fleeing vehicle. The maneuver succeeded in causing the Bronco to lose control and leave the roadway.
The vehicle entered a ditch along the east side of the northbound lanes. During the intervention, investigators say Swanson fired multiple rounds at Harris’ patrol vehicle.
Several bullets struck the patrol unit. Video released by authorities shows rounds impacting the vehicle during the encounter, including one that passed near the area where the trooper was seated. Harris was not struck. Authorities stated that no law enforcement officer returned fire during the incident.
Standoff Ends With Discovery Inside Vehicle
After the Bronco came to rest in the ditch, Swanson remained inside and did not respond to commands from officers on scene. For safety reasons, authorities shut down traffic on U.S. Highway 63 while they worked to assess the situation.
Because Swanson was unresponsive, officers breached the vehicle’s windows and deployed a drone to obtain a view inside the Bronco without placing personnel in danger. The drone revealed Swanson motionless inside the vehicle.
Authorities then determined that he was dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation into the family shooting remains ongoing. Officials have not publicly disclosed a motive behind the attack, though authorities have confirmed that Swanson was related to both victims.
The incident left one man dead, one woman injured, and a Missouri State Highway Patrol vehicle struck by gunfire during a pursuit that spanned multiple jurisdictions before ending along a highway in Randolph County.