Two armed citizens stopped a Missouri gunman within minutes of a parking lot shooting that left a woman dead and a teenage employee injured, holding the suspect at gunpoint until police arrived outside a grocery store, according to law enforcement officials.
The encounter unfolded May 25 outside a Price Chopper supermarket in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, after gunfire erupted shortly before 4:30 p.m.
Authorities say bystanders reacted quickly in a crowded commercial area, and officers later credited the intervention with preventing additional casualties. Police said the suspect was already restrained when they arrived on scene.
According to witness accounts and court records, the two men acted independently but moved to confront the threat after realizing a shooting was underway.
One drew a handgun and advanced toward the suspect, while another retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and followed.
Together, they took control of the scene and held the gunman at gunpoint until officers arrived within minutes, according to USA Carry.
The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Allen Thomas Prince, who is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and multiple counts of armed criminal action.
Court records show he remains in custody as prosecutors continue building their case.
Investigators say Prince arrived at the parking lot armed with a .243 Winchester bolt-action rifle and opened fire near the front entrance of the store.
The first victim, 45-year-old Amy Coon of Strasburg, Missouri, was struck near her vehicle and collapsed in the parking lot. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 16-year-old Price Chopper employee was also struck while attempting to flee the gunfire and was transported to a hospital in stable condition, according to authorities, per KSHB.
Witness statements describe the gunman moving through the parking lot after the initial shots, scanning the area and firing additional rounds.
At one point, he allegedly aimed toward a juvenile pushing shopping carts, though the shot missed, according to The Daily Caller.
Court documents indicate Prince had a prior 2025 case involving threats to shoot a person.
He was released on his own recognizance in that matter despite concerns documented by authorities, including references to mental health issues and prior firearm-related allegations.
Records also show Prince was legally prohibited from possessing firearms at the time of the shooting due to pending legal conditions.
After being restrained by the armed civilians, Prince reportedly turned the rifle on himself.
He survived the self-inflicted gunshot wound, was hospitalized, and later booked into the Cass County Jail without bond.
His first court appearance took place June 3 via video conference, where he did not enter a public statement. Prosecutors have not announced a motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Local organizations have since provided counseling services for witnesses and residents affected by the shooting, citing the emotional toll such incidents can have in smaller communities unaccustomed to public violence.
Authorities continue to highlight the role of the armed citizens, saying their actions likely prevented additional deaths before law enforcement arrived and secured the scene.
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