ST. LOUIS – The man accused of killing an individual at a St. Louis gas station five years ago pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday.
48-year-old Christopher Rainey pleaded guilty to shooting and killing 35-year-old Vincent Martin Sanders on Jan. 6, 2019. According to the circuit attorney’s office, Rainey has accepted the offer of seven years in prison.
Rainey was at a gas station in the 2600 block of Chippewa when he made two women uncomfortable by staring at them. Those two women received help from their two male relatives, which included Sanders and another individual.
When the two males arrived at the gas station, they got into a “heated verbal exchange” with Rainey, leading to a physical fight. Rainey then drew a handgun, shooting Sanders three times.
Sanders was transported to the hospital, where he later died.
Police found Rainey’s car and took him into custody shortly after. They found the gun used in the shooting inside a backpack, and he was wearing the same clothes.
Rainey is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 6.
