A jury is expected to hear testimony Wednesday morning at the Boone County Courthouse from the victim who was shot in the face inside Columbia’s Buffalo Wild Wings in 2024.
The jury heard opening statements in the case on Tuesday afternoon. 939 the Eagle News was in the courtroom for part of jury selection in the case involving 38-year-old Alexis Gonzalez, who is charged with first degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Gonzalez wore a blue dress shirt, dark tie and dress pants in the courtroom.
Court documents allege that Gonzalez “shot a man in the face over an unpaid bar tab while intoxicated” at Buffalo Wild Wings. Defense attorney Jeffery Hilbrenner emphasized the importance of the presumption of innocence to prospective jurors and told them jurors must be able to keep an open mind. Hilbrenner told them this is a gruesome and tough case.
Judge Stephanie Morrell is presiding over the trial.