One held in pharmacy shooting, chase at Rolla

A Rolla man faces felony charges in connection with shooting a pharmacy employee, according to a press release from the Rolla Police Department.

Justin M. Wonsewitz, 41, of Rolla, is alleged to have shot a worker and was arrested on recommended charges of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. Wonsewitz is in the Phelps County Jail pending the issuance of a warrant.

The release states law enforcement was alerted at 10:17 a.m. June 19 in regard to an active shooting at the Sinks Pharmacy, 1375 E. 10th St. The initial report indicated that Wonsewitz entered the pharmacy with a rifle, demanded narcotics and shot an employee. He then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of narcotics.

During the initial response, officers received updated information that the suspect fled the area in a black passenger car. Responding officers spotted the car traveling at a high rate of speed east on 10th Street. Officers initiated a pursuit attempting to stop the suspect. Officers followed the vehicle east on 10th Street. During the pursuit, officers utilized a forcible stopping technique which disabled the suspect’s vehicle. Officers took the suspect into custody without further incident. No officers were injured.

Detectives arrived on the scene and identified numerous eyewitnesses and processed the scene for physical evidence. The victim, age 52, of Rolla, was transported by ambulance to Phelps Health, for serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The release states Chief Sean Fagan commends the local law enforcement community and Sinks staff members for their assistance with this investigation. Chief Fagan said, “The members of Sinks Pharmacy staff provided valuable information in a timely matter while facing one of the worst days of their lives. Because of their timely and accurate information and the efforts of our local law enforcement team, we were able to successfully apprehend a dangerous individual.”

Agencies assisting in this incident include the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri S&T Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Rolla City Fire Department and the Phelps Health Ambulance Crew.

The post One held in pharmacy shooting, chase at Rolla appeared first on Houston Herald .