A Lake Saint Louis man is facing a second-degree murder charge and involuntary manslaughter after shooting a thief caught in the act of stealing his car.
Earlier this month police say Charles Lewis Flagg III fired on 31-year-old Shawn Jimenez as Jimenez was trying to drive off in Flagg’s car.
It all happened at Flagg's home on Monterey Cypress Drive in Lake Saint Louis. Police say Flagg admitted to walking toward Jimenez and firing through the driver's window as he pulled away.
Scene photos: Suspected car thief shot, killed in Lake St. Louis
Jimenez was found dead in the car about a block away. Police and prosecutors say Missouri's gun laws do not protect Flagg because at no time did he state that he felt threatened and the investigation gave them no reason to believe he ever felt threatened.
“If you're going to have the privilege of being a gun owner, which you do very much so in this state, then you also have the responsibility of knowing what the rules are,” said St. Charles County Prosecutor Tim Lohmar. “We cannot allow this to turn into the wild west.”
The prosecutor says a grand jury will help decide which charge Flagg should face.
Flagg turned himself into police, but was released after posting bond. A bond hearing is scheduled for November 22, 2016 in which his bond could be raised.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
