In a tragic turn of events stemming from a road rage incident, 27-year-old David Christofer Reynolds II lost his life on June 9, 2018. The fatal encounter unfolded on Missouri Highway 249 in Jasper County, where Reynolds was driving his 2012 GMC Terrain. Another motorist, Christopher David Montz, 26, of Neosho, was operating a 2016 Toyota Scion at a high rate of speed and believed that Reynolds had cut him off in traffic.
Montz, who had activated strobe lights on his vehicle, and Reynolds both pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. It was then that Montz fatally wounded Reynolds with an automatic pistol.
Following the shooting, an investigation was launched, leading to the arrest of Christopher Montz. Initially facing a charge of first-degree murder, Montz later entered into a plea bargain with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. As a result of his guilty plea, Montz was sentenced to and is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for the killing of David Reynolds.
In the wake of the criminal proceedings, the family of David Reynolds pursued civil action against his killer. In January 2021, Reynolds' father, his widow Amanda Reynolds, and her children filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Christopher Montz in Jasper County Circuit Court. This legal action sought to hold Montz accountable in civil court for the death of David Christofer Reynolds II.
