A 44-year-old Byrnes Mill man was in fair condition this morning (May 6), the day after he was shot multiple times outside the Walgreens store, 1210 Sugar Creek Square, in unincorporated Fenton. A 35-year-old Fenton man who allegedly shot him because of a road-rage incident is in custody, said Capt. Gary Higginbotham of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Higginbotham said the Sheriff’s Office is seeking charges against the suspect through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
Deputies were called at about 4:15 p.m. Tuesday (May 5) to the store following reports of gunshots there. When deputies arrived, the victim and alleged shooter were at the scene. The suspect dropped his gun and was arrested, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
The victim, who had gone into the store seeking help, was transported to an area hospital, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
There were passengers in the victim’s vehicle, but neither they nor anyone else at the Walgreens was injured in the shooting, although a bullet fragment was found near the store, Higginbotham said.
Witnesses told deputies the suspect allegedly had been driving recklessly on Hwy. 30 and cut off the victim, who then followed the suspect’s vehicle to Walgreens. The victim allegedly confronted the suspect in the parking lot, and the suspect, who was still in his vehicle, allegedly drew a handgun and pointed it at the victim. Witnesses told deputies the victim reportedly was backing away from the suspect when he fired at least four shots, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 636-797-5515.