Officers step down amid investigation into McDonald’s parking‑lot shooting
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Two St. Louis County police officers who fired on a vehicle full of teenagers following a large July pool party have resigned, the department confirmed Friday. The shootings took place after officers responded to repeated 911 calls about an out‑of‑control gathering in Spanish Lake.
Police said they began receiving more than two dozen calls beginning around 8:15 p.m. on July 5 reporting hundreds of teens, blocked streets, people running across private property, fireworks, fights and reports of teens with guns. Officers went to the scene on Prendergast Lane and attempted to disperse the crowd, which they later described as an "unlawful assembly."
- Time of unrest: Calls started about 8:15 p.m.; the shooting occurred shortly before 10:15 p.m.
- Location of shooting: 11100 block of Bellefontaine Road, near a McDonald's parking lot.
- Shots fired: Dashcam video released in August shows 12 shots — one from a less‑lethal shotgun and 11 from a handgun.
- Injuries: Two teenagers, ages 15 and 16, were hit and taken to the hospital with injuries described as not life‑threatening.
According to police accounts, officers tried to clear people from the McDonald’s parking area where teens were setting off fireworks, including firing them toward officers. At one point, an officer pursued a person who allegedly fired fireworks in the officers' direction; that officer fired a less‑lethal weapon while another officer took a person into custody.
Minutes later, an officer approached a group of teens near a parked car behind the McDonald’s. The officer struck the rear passenger window with a less‑lethal shotgun as the teens climbed inside. Police say the driver then began to pull the car forward toward other responding officers. Another officer drew a handgun and fired. Video released in August shows the sequence leading to a total of 12 shots being fired.
"The gathering had become a 'unlawful assembly,'"
Police said the vehicle stopped and that no shots were fired from inside the car. No officers were hurt. Two teenagers were struck by gunfire and transported to a hospital; their injuries were characterized as not life‑threatening. The department said investigators had placed the two officers on administrative duty while they reviewed whether policy was followed; the officers have since resigned.
Local consequences and questions for the department
The resignations close one chapter of the department’s administrative response but do not end the broader questions about crowd control, use of force and the handling of large youth gatherings that have been a growing concern for communities across the region.
Residents in the Spanish Lake area and other parts of north St. Louis County have in recent years raised alarms about parties that swell into large, sometimes dangerous gatherings. Law enforcement officials face the challenge of dispersing crowds while minimizing harm—especially when many involved are minors.
Community leaders and civil‑rights advocates often seek transparency in such incidents. Video evidence, like the dashcam footage released in August in this case, plays a central role in shaping public understanding and in determining whether officers followed department policy and training.
Details about any criminal or internal charges, further administrative action or independent reviews have not been released publicly beyond confirmation of the officers’ resignations and the department’s earlier description of events. The county’s ongoing investigations and any possible prosecutorial review will determine whether additional steps follow.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Date | July 5 |
| Initial 911 calls began | Around 8:15 p.m. |
| Shooting occurred | Shortly before 10:15 p.m. |
| Shots fired | 12 total (1 less‑lethal, 11 handgun) |
| Injuries | Two teens (15 and 16) with non‑life‑threatening gunshot wounds |
As the county process continues, neighbors and families affected by the incident will be watching for clear answers about what led officers to use lethal force, whether policies were followed, and what steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents. The department’s confirmation of the resignations signals that internal accountability measures have been applied at least to the personnel involved, but broader questions about crowd management, officer training and community safety remain.
St. Louis County officials have not provided additional comment beyond agency statements confirming the investigation and the officers’ resignations.
