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Police, Sheriff's Department Hope to Prevent Annual Fireworks War

Columbia residents for decades have been holding annual fireworks wars on the Fourth of July.

But this year is going to be different.

Ahmonta Harris was the organizer of the wars for about the past 10 years. Harris, however, was shot and killed in November. The Boone County Sheriff’s Department said at the time that he had “unlawfully” entered a residence when the occupant shot him.

That leaves the people who want to participate in a fireworks war without a leader.

Matt Akins of Citizens for Justice said people who were close to Harris want to keep the fireworks war going in his honor, and he said he’s sure there will be people somewhere shooting fireworks at each other. Akins has published several videos about the wars.

Akins said Harris’ family or his friends might help mediate the war, but he’s not sure that will happen.

To read more, please visit our partners at the Columbia Missourian.