St. Louis authorities are investigating a shocking Tuesday morning shooting that left 28-year-old figure skating coach and restaurant professional Sam Linehan dead in a Starbucks drive-thru.
Police have linked the attack to a series of armed robberies earlier in the week, raising alarm about public safety in high-traffic commercial areas.
The incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. at the South Grand Boulevard Starbucks.
According to police, 58-year-old Keith Lamon Brown allegedly approached Linehan’s vehicle, demanded she raise her hands, and shot her despite her compliance.
Brown then fled the scene with her bank cards and driver’s license, authorities said. He was arrested later that evening after a SWAT search of his residence, according to STL News.
Brown now faces a litany of charges, including first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon, three counts of armed criminal action, and three counts of first-degree robbery.
A judge ordered him held without bond.
Court documents expose a long and troubling record of past crimes.
They reveal that Brown was sentenced to 15 years in 1986 for robbery and armed criminal action and later received a 30-year sentence in 1996 on similar charges.
Authorities say he had been on parole and had previously absconded supervision at times.
Police believe the Starbucks killing was part of a pattern of violent crime.
On Feb. 6, Brown allegedly robbed a woman and her daughter at gunpoint in a Jack in the Box drive-thru, taking a purse, a 9 mm handgun, and cellphones.
On Feb. 8, he is accused of firing shots and robbing a Dollar General cashier on North Grand Boulevard.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed a suspect in a neon safety vest and hard hat at all three locations, helping investigators link the incidents.
Linehan, meanwhile, is remembered as a dedicated community member. She coached at Metro Edge Figure Skating Club and worked at local restaurants, including Sado on the Hill and Yellowbelly.
Friends, colleagues, and students commenting to First Alert 4 described her as kind, passionate, and committed to both culinary and athletic pursuits.
Her death has left a profound impact on the community, underscoring the human toll of violent crime.
Public safety experts emphasize the rarity of such attacks in drive-thru settings but urge vigilance.
John Scardena, president of Doberman Emergency Management, said the scenario is “so rare” that even counterterrorism training courses don’t simulate it, advising motorists to stay alert and know alternative exits when possible.
Police continue to urge residents to report suspicious activity, particularly in areas like drive-thru lanes where individuals may feel exposed.
Authorities also highlighted that linking stolen items to Brown helped build a strong case against him.
The tragic killing of Sam Linehan at a Starbucks drive-thru has reignited conversations about violent crime, repeat offenders, and public safety in St. Louis.
With Brown in custody and facing multiple serious charges, law enforcement officials are signaling that repeat offenders will be pursued aggressively, while the community mourns a young woman whose life and contributions were cut tragically short.
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