Donna Bailey

Date: 9/24/2022          Location: Ozark, MO             FACTORS (1,2,8,9,11,12,13,14,20) 

Name: Donna M. Bailey                                            

Criminal History/Involved: Unknown. / Yes, the driver of the vehicle Bailey was in was suspected of driving while impaired and fled from police.    

Mental Illness: None stated.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: White/Female/23

Officer(s) involved: Christian County Sheriff’s Deputies, Nixa Police Officers and Ozark Police Officers.                                                                        

What prompted the initial contact with police? At around 3 a.m. on September 24, 2022, Ozark police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by a driver suspected of driving while intoxicated. The driver, Timothy Shafer, refused to pull over, fled the scene, and rather than follow, Ozark police put out a notification for adjoining areas to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Christian County Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle shortly after and attempted to stop it but again Shafer fled from them. When Shafer attempted to run over a deputy, a “tactical vehicle intervention maneuver” was utilized to stop the vehicle.

Actions taken by subject towards police: With his vehicle stopped, Shafer and his passenger, Donna Bailey refused to comply with the commands of the various law enforcement officers telling them to exit the vehicle with their hands up. Instead, Shafer “leaned out of the driver’s side window with a gun” and threatened the officers with it.

Reactions by the police: In response to the threat posed by the armed Shafer, officers and deputies opened fire at Shafer, fatally striking him and Bailey.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: Christian County Prosecutor Amy Fite ruled the officers use of deadly force was justified.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Bailey could still be alive today if she: were not riding in a vehicle driven by someone who refused to comply with the police and pull over instead of fleeing from them and then pointing a weapon at them; complied and exited the vehicle once it was stopped.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, the law enforcement officers reasonably feared for their lives when Shafer disregarded their commands and instead brandished a firearm at them. Tragically as a result of being in Shafer’s immediate vicinity, Bailey was fatally struck as well.