In the late hours of a Thanksgiving weekend, tragedy struck at a popular downtown Jefferson City bar, forever altering the lives of two families. Corey Thames, a 43-year-old man, was fatally shot on November 26, 2022, at J. Pfenny's restaurant and bar. Another individual, a 26-year-old employee of the establishment named Skylar Smock, also lost her life in the violent encounter.
The events of that night unfolded near the front door of the bustling bar.
According to court documents and witness accounts, an altercation had broken out between Thames and another man, later identified as Damien Davis of Kansas City. As the confrontation escalated, Smock, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, intervened. It was then that Davis allegedly produced a firearm and opened fire. Both Thames and Smock were struck by the gunfire and succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing Davis with a 'smirk' on his face as he walked past the victims' bodies.
Law enforcement swiftly identified Davis as the primary suspect in the double homicide. As a previously convicted felon, he was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. Following his arrest, Davis reportedly admitted to shooting at Thames but claimed that the shooting of Smock was unintentional. He expressed remorse for Smock's family but not for the family of Corey Thames, alleging that Thames had pulled a gun on him.
In the wake of the tragic event, friends, family, and community members mourned the loss of Thames and Smock, leaving heartfelt messages on the windows of J. Pfenny's. The Cole County prosecutor has since filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Damien Davis, who faces two counts of first-degree murder along with five other felonies. The prosecution has cited Davis's record of serious assaults and the endangerment of multiple lives during the shooting as aggravating factors in their decision. Davis is currently being held in the Cole County Jail without bond as he awaits trial.
