A former Team USA skater was gunned down in a Missouri Starbucks drive-thru during an alleged armed robbery by a maniac wanted by police, according to reports.
Gabrielle ‘Sam’ Linehan, 28, was sat in her car at the coffee shop in St. Louis’ Tower Grove East neighborhood when Keith Lamon Brown, who is also accused of two similar armed robberies days earlier, allegedly held her at gunpoint before opening fire on Tuesday morning, reports the New York Post.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed Brown, 58, wearing a high-visibility vest and helmet when he walked up to Linehan’s car and ordered her to raise her hands before shooting the defenseless woman, police claim.
Linehan, who earned silver for Team USA at the 2014 US Synchronized Skating Championships, was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Brown is accused of robbing multiple bank cards and a driver’s license from her before fleeing the scene. After being found by police and arrested on Wednesday, he has been charged with first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree robbery, four counts of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to Fox 2 Now, Brown was also wanted by cops for two armed robberies in the days prior to Linehan’s murder and has a criminal history dating back to the mid-1980s.
Ex-Team USA skater Gabrielle Linehan was gunned down in a Starbucks drive-thru Tuesday
Linehan, 28, was a skating coach and mentor for the St. Louis Synergy up until her passing
On Friday February 6, again wearing the high-visibility vest and helmet, he allegedly approached a vehicle at a drive-thru for fast-food chain Jack in the Box and pointed a gun at the driver before stealing their purse, a 9mm handgun and the phone of the driver’s daughter, court records state.
Two days later he is accused of holding a cashier at gunpoint at a Dollar General. During all three robberies, Brown allegedly fired at least three shots. He is being held without bond at the St. Louis City Justice Center.
Linehan, who also represented St. Louis Synergy, was spending time as a skating coach in Webster Groves before her passing.
The St. Louis Synergy paid an emotional tribute to their late coach and mentor following the tragic news, writing on Instagram: ‘Coach Sam Linehan was a cherished skater, coach, mentor, and friend whose impact reached far beyond the ice.
‘A dedicated leader, Coach Sam devoted time and heart to supporting and developing skaters while instilling the values of discipline, teamwork, integrity, and resilience.
‘This loss is both sudden and profoundly heartbreaking for athletes, staff, and the entire skating community. Focus remains on supporting Sam’s family and ensuring skaters have the care and resources needed during this incredibly difficult time.’
Longtime coach Ramona Peterson also told St. Louis news station KSDK: ‘She was by far one of the most naturally talented kids I had coached. But beyond that, she was incredibly dedicated.’
