A tense afternoon at a Maryland Heights apartment complex ended with an employee in handcuffs after police say he threatened to kill his coworkers and himself, then turned out to have multiple guns within reach.
Officers identified the suspect as Liam Greene of O'Fallon. He is charged with second-degree making a terrorist threat, and his comments were serious enough that a manager at NEO Vantage Point reportedly sent the rest of the staff home while police sorted things out.
Police were called to the NEO Vantage Point apartments around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, according to First Alert 4. Investigators say that on Tuesday, Greene told coworkers he would "kill myself and everyone else here," a line so alarming that a witness asked him to repeat it to make sure they had heard correctly, the outlet reports. By Wednesday, he allegedly upped the ante, saying he would bring a gun to work despite a newly posted "No Weapons on the Premises" sign.
Once the property manager learned what had been said, all employees were told to go home for the day while police were called in, according to what officers told First Alert 4. Greene later told officers he had been joking and being facetious, but that explanation did not stop the investigation.
Officers searched Greene's room and car and say they recovered an assault rifle with optics, a tactical-style long gun, a loaded pistol, and magazines and ammunition. He is being held in the St. Louis County Jail.
Weapons recovered and response
Police described some of the seized firearms as outfitted with optics and other tactical-style accessories. That discovery, combined with the reported threats, triggered a precautionary response at the apartment community, including an immediate search of Greene's living space and vehicle.
Management at the complex told staffers to leave the property while investigators secured the area and collected evidence, a move aimed at keeping employees out of harm's way until officers were confident the scene was safe.
Charges and legal context
Greene faces one count of making a terrorist threat in the second degree. Under Missouri law, that offense involves communicating an express or implied threat that puts lives in danger while recklessly disregarding the risk that it will cause an evacuation, building closure, or similar disruption.
As outlined in section 574.120 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, second-degree making a terrorist threat is a class E felony. Under Missouri sentencing law, a class E felony can carry up to four years in prison and fines, according to section 558.011 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.
What happens next
Greene remained in custody as of the latest reporting, and it was not immediately clear when he will be arraigned or whether prosecutors might seek additional charges.
The employee worked at the NEO Vantage Point apartments, according to facility information posted online. The complex's site lists the property as NEO Vantage Point, the same location where the incident was reported, per NEO Vantage Point.
Maryland Heights police have not yet released further details, and the investigation remains active. This story will be updated if authorities provide additional information.
