Kyle Christoper Walters, 25, of Dittmer has been placed on supervised probation for his role in the death of Scott Russell Jones of Fenton.
Walters pleaded guilty on Oct. 27 to first-degree involuntary manslaughter, a class C felony. That same day St. Francois County Circuit Judge Wendy Wexler Horn sentenced him to seven years in prison. The judge suspended the sentence and placed him on five years’ probation, according to court records.
Jones died on March 5 from a gunshot wound to his back after he was sitting in the driver-seat of a vehicle in the Desloge Jack in the Box drive-thru lane and Walters accidentally fired a gun and Jones was struck. He was 22, authorities reported.
The next day, Walters was charged with first-degree manslaughter, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
According to the probable-cause statement, Desloge Police received a call at 6:09 a.m. March 5 about an unconscious person at the fast-food restaurant, 1208 N. Desloge Drive.
Desloge Police Chief Jebo Bullock said the responding police officer started CPR and continued it until St. Francois County Ambulance District personnel arrived. The man was taken to Parkland Health Center North in Bonne Terre where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.
Two witnesses told police they were waiting in line at the drive-thru when Walters allegedly discharged the weapon, the probable-cause statement said.
Bullock said Walters, a passenger in the back seat, had the 9mm handgun out and was messing with it when it discharged, striking Jones.
Walters reportedly admitted to possessing the 9mm handgun and discharging it.
Bullock said at the time of the incident, the men were living outside Farmington but court records list Walters’ address as Dittmer.