A confrontation that reportedly started inside a Jimmy John’s in St. Louis escalated into gunfire Saturday evening, leaving a 14-year-old girl wounded and a restaurant worker criminally charged after authorities say he fired at a vehicle the teen was riding in.
The girl was hit in the leg shortly before 6 p.m. near Vandeventer and Laclede avenues, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Police said in a statement posted on X that she was transported to a nearby hospital and was in stable condition.
Court records name the accused shooter as 27-year-old Adam White, who investigators say was employed at the Jimmy John’s location where the dispute initially unfolded.
White now faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree child endangerment, along with additional offenses.
Police said the incident grew out of a dispute involving the teen’s mother and “several individuals” connected to the Jimmy John’s restaurant in the 3800 block of Laclede Avenue.
“A preliminary investigation indicates the shooting followed a disagreement involving the girl’s mother and several individuals associated with the Jimmy John’s in the 3800 block of Laclede. The mother’s connection to the restaurant remains under investigation,” the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said.
According to investigators, the girl’s mother’s boyfriend later arrived at the restaurant with the 14-year-old. The confrontation escalated, and gunfire erupted.
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Court documents allege that White got into a verbal argument with a former employee, which continued into the parking lot.
Police say the former employee, her boyfriend and her juvenile daughter then got into a vehicle.
As the vehicle drove away, White allegedly fired multiple rounds into its rear, striking the teenage girl in the left leg.
“As they drove off, the defendant fired multiple rounds into the rear of the vehicle. Victim 3, the juvenile, was struck by one of the bullets in her left leg,” court documents state.
Investigators said they found ballistic damage to the trunk of the vehicle.
According to court documents, White initially fled the scene but later returned and was taken into custody. After being advised of his Miranda rights, White allegedly admitted firing at the vehicle and told detectives he had left the gun at his home.
A judge ordered White held without bond pending trial.
Jimmy John’s and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.