Man charged in shooting that killed woman at Pleasant Hill Price Chopper
Prosecutors have charged a 27-year-old man with murder and several other felonies in a deadly shooting on Memorial Day at the Cosentino’s Price Chopper in Pleasant Hill.
The Cass County Prosecutor’s Office charged Allen T. Prince of Pleasant Hill with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault or attempted first-degree assault, and three counts of armed criminal action.
According to court documents, the charges stem from the shooting shortly before 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Price Chopper at 2102 N. Missouri 7 that killed a 45-year-old woman from Johnson County, Missouri, who was shopping at the store.
A 17-year-old store employee was also shot and was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. Prince was also taken to a hospital for what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to court documents, Pleasant Hill police officers responded to the store after receiving a call reporting that shots had been fired in the parking lot.
The first two officers to arrive found the teen and Prince lying on the ground with gunshot wounds.
The teen had a gunshot wound to the hip/abdomen area. Prince had a gunshot wound to his head, which police later determined to be self-inflicted, according to court documents.
One of the officers found a bolt-action Winchester .243 caliber rifle next to Prince. The rifle was secured in an officer’s patrol vehicle.
Officers placed Prince into handcuffs after multiple witnesses said he was the one who fired the only gunshots. While officers began providing aid, they were told another victim, a woman, also had been shot.
Pleasant Hill Emergency Medical Services arrived and began providing aid. They pronounced the woman dead at the scene.
According to court documents, a witness told police that he had gone to the store to grab a few items. While he was on the phone, sitting in his vehicle, he saw Prince reach into his vehicle and pull out a rifle. The witness told police that Prince then fired a shot at a woman who was next to her vehicle, and she fell to the ground.
Prince then scanned the parking lot and fired another round at the teen who was pushing shopping carts, a witness told police, according to court documents. Prince began scanning the parking lot again. A witness said he got into his vehicle and started to leave the parking lot when he saw a male with a pistol approach Prince. The witness said he got his gun and held Prince at gunpoint until officers arrived.
Another witness said he was getting into his truck in the parking lot when he heard what he thought was fireworks. He told police he looked around to see where it was coming from, and that was when he saw the teen and Prince lying on the ground.
The witness drew his gun and began giving Prince a command to kick the rifle away from him, which Prince did. The witness said another witness came up to him and advised him to get his firearm, and they both held Prince at gunpoint and provided medical aid until officers arrived.
A sergeant arrived and watched surveillance video, which showed Prince pulling into the parking lot about 4:27 p.m. Prince then got out of his vehicle with a rifle a minute later and allegedly fired a shot that struck the teen from behind as he was walking away from Prince, according to court documents.
The video shows Prince firing a second round and striking the woman, who appeared to be fleeing. A few seconds later, Prince turns the rifle on himself and fires a third shot.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., a witness is observed entering the frame and providing aid. Officers arrived a minute later.
A witness told police that Prince shot at him too, while he was by his truck, but missed.
Police found three spent casings next to Prince and one spent casing in the chamber of the rifle. Police also found 20 additional rounds of ammunition on Prince. The ammunition matched the make and caliber of the spent casings, according to court documents.
Prince is in the custody of the Pleasant Hill Police Department while he is being treated at a hospital in Kansas City.
Prosecutors have asked that Prince be held without bond.
