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Maryland Heights Community Center to reopen after deadly shooting

A spokeswoman with the city confirmed the facility will open at its normal time on Monday

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — The Maryland Heights Community Center will reopen to the public on Monday, a week after a deadly shooting.

A spokeswoman with the city confirmed the facility will open at its normal time on Monday. However, the center will have amended hours for the next few weeks.

Beginning Monday, the Maryland Heights Community Center hours will be 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Saturday hours are from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday hours are from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

All programs and events will resume as scheduled. The fitness center, indoor aquatic center and south gym will be open. However, the north gym will be closed for about the next two weeks.

The Community Health Fair has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 31.

According to court documents, on Feb. 24, Michael Joseph Honkomp shot and killed Maria Lucas inside the rec center.

“He was being sent home from work and reacted with ‘anger,’” Maryland Heights Police Chief Bill Carson said.

Lucas, 45, was the on-duty supervisor at the time of the shooting. She had been a city employee for seven years.

Credit: City of Maryland Heights

Honkomp, 30, was a part-time employee for just under three years and was a janitor at the community center. After shooting Lucas, police said Honkomp exchanged shots with a Maryland Heights police officer who quickly responded to the scene. The officer wasn’t injured. Honkomp suffered serious injuries.

Honkomp was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault on a special victim, resisting arrest and armed criminal action. He’s being held without bond.

Credit: Maryland Heights Police Department

More than 150 people were inside the center at the time of the shooting. No one else was injured in the shooting.

The Bridgeton Community Center opened its facility to members in Maryland Heights while the center was closed this week. A staff member told 5 On Your Side dozens have come to work out utilize the center. 

Nathan Bookout, a member at the center in Maryland Heights, was working out at the Bridgeton center on Sunday. He said he is grateful the center opened its doors, especially during time he said has been shocking for the community.

"It's like how could something like this happen," Bookout said. "How could somebody just snap like that?"

Bookout said he had conversations with both Lucas and Honkomp during his visits to the community center, and he described them both as being positive and pleasant. 

Lee and Grant also used the Bridgeton facility this week. Grant said she was inside of the Maryland Heights center the night of the shooting. 

"I left about an hour before," Grant said. 

The couple said despite the initial fear felt in the community, businesses and residents have stepped up to support one another including the staff members who were directly affected.

"It's tragic what happened, but the community has really pulled together and is taking care of each other," Grant said. 

The city is offering free counseling services for patrons of the community center.

A session was held Sunday, March 1 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Government Center. A chaplain will be at the center throughout the day on Monday when it reopens to the public. Professional counselors also will be on-site March 2 – 4 beginning at 6 p.m.

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