ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — One year ago, many lives were changed forever by the actions of one person.
Around 3:20 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2018, police responded the Catholic Supply Store in the 14000 block of Manchester Road, which is in unincorporated St. Louis County.
Inside that store, 53-year-old Jamie Schmidt was found shot. She was transported to a hospital where she died of her injuries.
Investigators said Thomas Bruce shot her after she refused sexual demands. Bruce is also accused of sexually assaulting two other women inside the store.
Jamie was an administrator at St. Louis Community College in Wildwood. She was the mother of three and married her high school sweetheart.
In April, 5 On Your Side’s Mike Bush sat down with Jamie’s husband, Gregg.
"I want him to realize what he's taken from everybody," He said of Thomas Bruce.
Statement from Catholic Supply Store
“This week marks one year since the tragic events occurred at our West County location. While this has been devastating to the Catholic Supply family, we have worked this past year to continue to fulfill our mission to bring people closer to Christ, and help our staff, customers and community along the path to healing. Please join us as we pray for the victim, survivors and all who were affected by this senseless tragedy.”
Bruce is charged with first-degree murder, three counts of sodomy, three counts of kidnapping, one count of burglary, one count of tampering with evidence and eight counts of armed criminal action. He has since pleaded not guilty. His trial is set to start in October 2020.