A dispute that began at a Jimmy John’s restaurant in St. Louis concluded with a 14-year-old girl being shot in the leg and a restaurant employee facing multiple felony charges, according to police and court records.
The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on Saturday near the intersection of Vandeventer and Laclede avenues. The injured girl was transported to a local hospital and reported to be in stable condition, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department stated.
Police identified the alleged shooter as Adam White, 27, a Jimmy John’s employee. He has been charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, and first-degree child endangerment, among other offenses.
According to the police statement, the shooting originated from a disagreement involving the teen’s mother and several individuals associated with the Jimmy John’s located in the 3800 block of Laclede. The mother’s specific connection to the restaurant is still under investigation.
Court documents detail that the teen’s mother’s boyfriend arrived at the restaurant with the 14-year-old. The situation escalated, leading to gunfire. Investigators allege that White engaged in a verbal altercation with a former employee, which then moved to the parking lot.
Police stated that the former employee, her boyfriend, and her daughter then entered a vehicle. As the vehicle departed, White is accused of firing multiple shots into its rear, striking the juvenile in her left leg. Ballistic evidence was found on the vehicle's trunk.
White reportedly fled the scene but later returned and was taken into custody. Following advisement of his Miranda rights, White allegedly admitted to firing at the vehicle and stated that the firearm was at his residence. A judge ordered White held without bond pending his trial.