A 25-year-old Imperial man is in jail without bond after deputies say he sprayed gunfire toward a crowd at the Lakewood Apartments in Jefferson County last Thursday, punching holes in several units but, remarkably, injuring no one.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Lonnie Randall III, who is being held at the Jefferson County Jail while investigators keep digging into what led up to the shooting.
According to KMOV, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to the Lakewood complex after an argument escalated and witnesses reported that Randall fired an AR-style pistol into a group of people. A probable-cause statement cited in the report says Randall told investigators he fired a warning shot after being pepper-sprayed, then fired again because he believed he heard gunfire.
Deputies later found multiple bullet holes in the exterior of the building and in apartments that were not involved in the dispute, according to the report. Randall is facing two counts of armed criminal action and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and remains jailed while prosecutors review the case.
What the charges mean
Under Missouri law, armed criminal action applies when a person uses a dangerous instrument or firearm while committing another felony, which can stack additional penalties on top of the underlying offense. Unlawful use of a weapon is a broad statute that covers various conduct, including certain reckless discharges or handling of firearms, and specific subsections determine whether a charge is a misdemeanor or a felony.
For the statutory language and potential penalties on armed criminal action, see the Missouri Revised Statutes via Justia. For a broader legal overview of Missouri gun laws, consult FindLaw.
Investigation continues
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains active as deputies sort through physical evidence and witness accounts. Once that work is complete and the full report is forwarded, prosecutors will decide whether to file any additional charges beyond the current counts.
