In the late hours of April 8, 2026, Chauncia Meekins, a 32-year-old employee at a Steak 'n Shake in north St. Louis County, was shot and killed during her shift. The incident, which also resulted in injury to a male co-worker, stemmed from a dispute with a customer in the drive-thru. Meekins, who had only been working at the restaurant for a few months, was shot twice in the torso and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her family described the argument as being over an order of onion rings.
The St. Louis County Police Department investigated the shooting that occurred around 11:35 p.m. at the 11035 Bellefontaine Road location. According to reports, a female customer in a white SUV got into a verbal altercation with Meekins. The dispute escalated, with the customer allegedly throwing a drink at Meekins, who then threw a drink back. Following this, the customer reportedly fired several shots from a handgun through the drive-thru window, striking Meekins and her colleague.
On April 20, 2026, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office announced charges against a suspect. Jada Bell, 20, was charged with first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, first-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. She was taken into custody and held on a $1 million cash-only bond.
Chauncia Meekins was remembered by her family as a loving, caring, and sweet-hearted person who worked two jobs. Her mother, Tamela Washington, expressed her grief and disbelief that a dispute over fast food could lead to her daughter's death. Meekins would have turned 33 just two weeks after she was killed. Her family held a vigil and has called for justice, with some members advocating for the death penalty.
