Missouri Highway Patrol reviewing security at its facilities after shooting – STLtoday.com

MSHP Col. Eric Olson told members of the House Budget Committee Thursday the department was already in the process of assessing whether its main headquarters in the capital city was safe enough to ward off an attack.

But, following a Jan. 4 incident at the patrol’s Troop A headquarters in Lee’s Summit, that review has expanded to highway patrol facilities in all nine districts, Olson said.

Tayland Rahim, 27, of Kansas City was shot by troopers after he opened fire with an assault-style rifle at the Troop A offices.

The MSHP said troopers gave Rahim verbal commands, but he failed to comply. Rahim was struck in an exchange of gunfire, according to police.

He was hospitalized in stable condition. Court records do not indicate if he’s been charged.

Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, told Olson that the Legislature should be willing to help ensure the offices are safe for troopers and staff.

“I’m interested in looking at how we can facilitate that,” Richey said.

The new focus on security in government buildings comes after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and threats of more attacks on state capitols following former President Donald Trump’s loss in November.

GOP leaders in the Missouri House are pursuing a plan that would give lawmakers some control over the police who oversee the Capitol. Those officers currently are under the supervision of an agency controlled by fellow Republican Gov. Mike Parson, a former sheriff.

Legislation that would give the legislative branch more oversight over security in the building, however, appears stalled.

Parson’s proposed budget for the fiscal year calls for $11.3 million to replace the Troop A facility, which was built in 1968.

At 33,000 square feet, the new Troop A complex would be about 8,000 square feet larger than the existing facility.

It will be a replica of the existing Troop C headquarters in Weldon Spring, budget documents note.

In a justification for the added expense, the agency said a number of programs have been added to the building since it was built, including vehicle inspection, casino monitoring and drug enforcement.

“The existing conditions fall well short of a minimum space requirement to perform tasks in an efficient, cost-effective manner,” the budget notes.

Other troop headquarters include Macon, Jefferson City, Willow Springs, Poplar Bluff, Rolla, Springfield and St. Joseph.

Replacement of the Troop A building is among a number of building projects sought by Parson in his budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Under his blueprint, the Department of Natural Resources would receive $68 million to upgrade state park lodges and campgrounds.