Spanish Lake man charged in McDonald’s shooting

ST. LOUIS – A Spanish Lake, Missouri, man was charged Wednesday for shooting two people during an attempted robbery at a McDonald’s this past April.

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s probable cause statement, the shooting happened on April 8 near the intersection of Natural Bridge Avenue and North Kingshighway Boulevard in the Penrose neighborhood.

Police said James T. Poe, 46, approached two people in the McDonald’s and threatened to rob and shoot them. One victim went and sat at a table. The other victim slowly walked back toward the table, with Poe following him.

The victim standing in front of Poe discreetly took out a firearm. Meanwhile, Poe removed a gun from his waistband and pulled the slider back. The armed victim, believing Poe was about to shoot, turned and fired at Poe.

Police said Poe shot both victims and fled but was eventually arrested.

Police said the incident was recorded on security video.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Poe with two counts of first-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. Poe remains jailed without bond. He’s due in court for a detention hearing on July 25.

Poe has a prior felony conviction in 2001 for delivery of a controlled substance.

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