Police identify suspect, victim in deadly Price Chopper shooting, say suspect turned gun on himself after being approached
By JoBeth Davis
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PLEASANT HILL, Missouri (KMBC) — “This is a good town, it’s a safe town.” That’s the message Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Police Chief Tommy Wright shared hours after a shooting outside a grocery store that rocked a small town.
In a news conference Tuesday morning Wright identified the suspect as 27-year-old Allen Prince. He has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree assault in connection with the incident.
Police said that incident unfolded in the parking lot of the Price Chopper grocery store around 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, on Memorial Day.
Authorities said Prince opened fire in the parking lot, killing 45-year-old Strasburg resident Amy Coon.
“Amy’s not just a victim,” Wright said. “She was a daughter. She was a mother. She was a grandmother. And she was somebody that cared deeply for her family and her family cared deeply for her.”
A 16-year-old grocery store employee was also seriously wounded. Family members have identified him by the name Ayden, saying he was shot twice while retrieving cars from the parking lot. A GoFundMe has been created to help pay for his care.
Wright said while the motive for the shooting is unknown, he fully believes the actions of two armed men in the parking lot saved more lives. Wright said those men had the courage to approach the gunman, who then reportedly turned his gun on himself.
“This is a good town, it’s a safe town because we have people who are brave and courageous that are willing to get in front of danger and protect innocent lives,” Wright said. “Man, I’m thankful for that.”
Prince remains in the intensive care unit at an area hospital. On Monday night Wright told reporters, “We don’t believe he was a shopper. We believe he was somebody that was on the parking lot, based on witness statements that we have, as well as some video.”
A bolt-action rifle was recovered by police on the scene.
This is believed to be the first homicide in Pleasant Hill in at least two decades.
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