Man convicted in the 2024 shooting of a Forsyth Police officer
David Viner was found guilty on Thursday, Oct. 1 on all nine counts he was charged with. In a trial Viner, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted by a jury of his peers. According to court records, Viner was found guilty of one count of assault in the first degree of a law enforcement officer; two counts of assault in the first degree; three counts of armed criminal action; one count of unlawful use of a weapon; one count of possession of a controlled substance; and one count of resisting arrest.
The incident occurred on March 19, 2024, when Forsyth Police Officer Jason Flowers responded to the report of a road rage incident near the intersection of Missouri Highway 76 and US Highway 160.
“Officer Jason Flowers, of the Forsyth Police Department, responded to the location of US 160 and State Highway 76, near Scooter’s Express Gas on an agency assist call,” stated the Taney County Prosecutor in a statement. “Dispatch had received reports of a male in the roadway swinging an object at passing vehicles. Officer Flowers responded and made contact with the male, later identified as David Viner.”
The suspect opened fire upon contact with Flowers. Viner was able to get off seven shots with two hitting Flowers before he was able to flee into nearby brush. Flowers was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time of the shooting. The two shots hit the vest.
“Officer Flowers jumped into a nearby ditch for cover until other law enforcement personnel could arrive, while the defendant fled into the woods,” stated the Prosecutor’s Office.
A manhunt began when assisting agencies arrived on scene. Flowers was transported to a trauma center in Springfield and was released the following day.
“Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene including the Taney County Sheriff’s Office, Branson Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Critical Incident Team (SCIT), (which is) comprised of multiple agencies from southwest Missouri. Drones, K9s and multiple officers were deployed to locate the defendant. When he was finally located, he continued to disobey law enforcement commands and resisted arrest.”
Viner was finally taken into custody after a short standoff.
“Following his apprehension, three firearms and methamphetamine were located in the defendant’s possession,” stated the Prosecutor’s Office.
The nine charges were filed by the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office on March 20, 2024. The four-day jury trial was presented last week in the Taney County Judicial Center in Forsyth. The jury found Viner guilty on all nine counts and returned Friday, October 2, to begin the penalty phase of their duty.
“Evidence and testimony were presented over the span of four days and following the guilty verdict on October 1, the jury returned the morning of October 2 to conduct the penalty phase,” the Prosecutor’s Office said. “The jury assessed punishment at life imprisonment for the shooting of Officer Jason Flowers, seven (7) years for possession of a controlled substance, four (4) years for resisting arrest, and fifteen (15) years for the remaining six counts. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Friday, December 18, at 10:00 a.m.”
The case was prosecuted by Taney County Prosecutor Brad Hughes. Hughes was joined by Assistant Attorneys General Aleks Holiman, Katherine Griesbach and Melissa Pierce on the prosecution team.
In May of 2024, Flowers received a Law Enforcement Purple Heart from the now former Forsyth Chief of Police Pat Gray for the incident. “The night of the 19th of March was a horrible night, yet it is also spectacular, because Jason is still here with us.’ Chief Gray explained as he was giving Flowers the commendation, “This is the first ever, and hopefully the only time we have given this award out.”
The Forsyth Police posted this on their social media page in response to the conviction of Viner. “The March 2024, case involving David Viner, shooting City of Forsyth Police Officer Jason Flowers twice, and shooting at two civilians, has been concluded. #forsythproud #justice,” said the police department.
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