A woman was charged on Monday with a fatal shooting at a North County Steak ‘n Shake on April 8.
Chauncia Lashell Meekins, 32, a worker at the restaurant on the 11000 block of Bellefontaine Road, died as a consequence of the shooting.
Jada Bell, 20, is charged with first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, one count of assault, and unlawful use of a weapon.
At a news conference on April 21, investigators stated that the arrest was the result of a painstaking investigation in which they used every tool available to connect the suspect’s movements that day.
According to investigators, the encounter was caught on tape, and the suspect threw a Pepsi at Chauncia Meekins, who returned the soda, prompting the suspect to open fire.
St. Louis County officials say their probe involved cell phone technology, monitoring procedures, and lengthy hours.
County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith told reporters that any homicide cases “where the homicide team assigned to it is considering the death penalty, they meet together as a team, they put together a memo, and they will come to me and meet on that — and that has not happened at this time.”
According to authorities, there could have been another person in the vehicle during the incident. The incident occurred in the drive-thru.
Officials also stated that the firearm had not been recovered, at least as of the news briefing.
Bell was in court on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing on April 28.
St. Louis County police stated that they are aware that the arrest will not return Meekins to her family, but they hope that it will provide some feeling of justice.
Furthermore, St. Louis County police said the shooting appeared to be a random event, with no prior incidents between the offender and the victim.
According to law enforcement officials, Bell has not been complying.
THE SHOOTING
According to court documents, on April 8, Bell drove to the Steak ‘n Shake drive-thru in a white SUV. She pulled up to the drive-thru window and had a disagreement with the personnel, including Meekins, about her meal order.
Bell flung her drink at Meekins, who returned it to her. Bell then shot Meekins numerous times with a pistol.
Meekins died as a result of the gunshot.
Another individual was shot in the hand. The shooting was caught on surveillance video at the eatery. The inquiry revealed that Bell’s phone was in the area at the time of the incident.
On April 9, St. Louis County Police said that a confrontation occurred in the drive-thru, and the driver shot through the window.
Tamela Washington, Meekins’ mother, claimed the argument was over onion rings.
“It’s never that serious to take a person’s life over fast food,” Washington added.
During the shooting, a male employee was also hurt.
A vigil was organized on Monday to memorialize Meekins at the Steak ‘n Shake where the incident occurred.
Bell is currently in custody and is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond with no 10%.
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