ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis Circuit Court judge has filed an arrest warrant for a man accused of fatally shooting a gas station/convenience store clerk after being caught shoplifting.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s probable cause statement, the shooting occurred at the Phillips 66 located at the corner of South Grand Boulevard and Delor Street in the Dutchtown neighborhood.
Police said John D. Phillips, 44, and a woman entered the store and walked the aisles, occasionally pocketing certain items.
The clerk confronted Phillips and told him to return the items and leave the store. The two men began arguing.
As Phillips threatened to shoot the clerk as he was leaving the store. The clerk followed Phillips to the door to make sure he and the woman left the business.
Police said the clerk turned around after Phillips left. However, Phillips returned, opened the door, and shot the clerk.
The clerk, who has not been identified, died 30 minutes after the shooting.
Phillips has a prior felony conviction for distribution of a controlled substance from 2000.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Phillips with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Upon arrest, Phillips will be jailed without bond.
