A Missouri man faces charges in connection with a Memorial Day shooting at a grocery store.
Allen Prince, 27, of Pleasant Hill, is charged with first-degree murder, three charges of armed criminal action, and two counts of first-degree assault.
According to Pleasant Hill Police Chief Tommy Wright, Prince is in custody at a nearby hospital and is in the intensive care unit in critical but stable condition after turning the gun on himself.
Amy Coon, 45, of Strasburg, was identified by investigators as the woman who was shot and murdered Monday afternoon at Price Chopper.
“Amy’s not just a victim,” Wright stated. “She was a daughter.” She was a mother. She was a grandma, and she cared greatly for her family, as her family did for her.”
Wright stated that the family needs prayers and assistance.
A 16-year-old Price Chopper employee was also shot and is currently in stable condition at a local hospital.
“This was his first job,” the teenager’s mother explained. “He only started working there in March. I’m hoping that won’t scare him away from wanting to return to work.”
Wright stated that two armed guys from the Pleasant Hill area approached Prince immediately after the initial shots were fired.
“I’m happy to report that we were able to determine that yesterday, shortly after the first several shots were fired, two gentlemen from the Pleasant Hill area who were armed had the courage to approach this suspect, who then turned the gun on himself,” Wright stated.
Wright feels the two guys may have prevented extra casualties.
“I think that it’s a good possibility that they prevented further bloodshed,” he replied.
Wright stated that he would not release the names of the two men.
“I’d want to inform you that this is a good town. It’s a safe place, and I’m grateful for the bold and daring individuals who are prepared to put themselves in danger to safeguard innocent lives,” Wright added.
Wright stated that detectives have not found a motive or any connection between Prince and the victims.
“This inquiry is less than 24 hours old, therefore we don’t have a motivation. We’re still trying to figure out if there’s a relationship. What’s the cause? “And we will continue to look into it,” Wright said.
Prince had one pending misdemeanor case in Cass County stemming from a domestic problem and was out on bond, Wright reported. Police have been unable to interview Prince because he is drugged.
“He is sedated, so we’ve not been able to get a statement from him yet,” Wright stated.
Wright stated that the shooting looks to be random, but authorities would continue to look into the case.
“This is an isolated incident,” Wright stated. “The Pleasant Hill residents are lovely folks. They’re good people who care passionately about one another and their community, so this is a very isolated incidence.”
According to a statement from Price Chopper, the fatal shooting occurred in the store’s parking lot.
“Today is a painful day for everyone concerned, including their loved ones. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this extremely difficult time,” the business wrote.
The shooting marks Pleasant Hill’s first homicide in nearly two decades.
Leave a Reply