PLEASANT HILL, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) – A Missouri man was charged following a Memorial Day shooting at a grocery store.
Twenty-seven-year-old Allen Prince, of Pleasant Hill, was charged with first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree assault.
Prince is in custody at a local hospital and is in the intensive care unit in critical but stable condition after turning the gun on himself, Pleasant Hill Police Chief Tommy Wright said.
Investigators identified 45-year-old Amy Coon, of Strasburg, as the woman shot and killed Monday afternoon at Price Chopper.
“Amy’s not just a victim,” Wright said. “She was a daughter. She was a mother. She was a grandmother, and she was somebody who cared deeply for her family, and her family cared deeply for her.”
Wright said the family needs prayers and support.
A 16-year-old boy who works at Price Chopper was also shot and is in stable condition at a local hospital.
“This was his first job,” the teen’s mother said. “He just started working there in March. I’m hoping that it’s not going to traumatize him from wanting to go back to work.”
Wright said two armed men from the Pleasant Hill area approached Prince shortly after the first 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 said.
Wright said he believes the two men may have prevented additional casualties.
“I think that it’s a good possibility that they prevented further bloodshed,” he said.
Wright said he was not releasing the names of the two men.
“I do want to tell you that this is a good town. It’s a safe town, and because we have people who are brave and courageous who are willing to get into danger and protect innocent lives, I’m thankful for that,” Wright said.
Wright said investigators have not determined a motive or any connection between Prince and the victims.
“This investigation is less than 24 hours old, so we don’t have a motive. We’re still determining [if there] is any connection? What’s the causation? And we’ll continue to investigate that,” Wright said.
Prince has one outstanding misdemeanor charge in Cass County from a domestic-type situation and was out on bond, Wright said. Police have not been able to interview Prince because he is sedated.
“He is sedated, so we’ve not been able to get a statement from him yet,” Wright said.
Wright said the shooting appears random, but that investigators will continue to examine the case.
“This is an isolated incident,” Wright said. “The people who live in Pleasant Hill are good people. They’re solid people that care deeply about each other and their community, so this is a very, very isolated incident.”
Price Chopper said in a statement that the deadly shooting took place in the store’s parking lot.
“This is a heartbreaking day for everyone involved and their loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time,” the company added.
The shooting is Pleasant Hill’s first homicide in nearly 20 years.
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