Charges filed in Wentzville shooting

A Wentzville man has been charged with first-degree assault with a firearm, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.

Lester Davis, 57, of the 400 block of Highland Meadows, has been charge in connection with an incident which occurred at All Cuts Barber Shop in the 100 block of West Pearce. At 11:38 a.m., Dec. 18, Wentzville police responded after reports of gun shots being fired inside the business. Police said prior to the incident the people in the barber shop had been talking about the shooting in Connecticut when one of the men allegedly stated an incident like that made him want to murder the suspect. Police reported that at that point Davis said “You want to murder me?” Davis allegedly then walked out to his vehicle, retrieved a gun, came back inside the barber shop and started shooting towards the man who’d made the comment. Davis allegedly fired three shots and stated “I’ll let you slide” and walked out of the barber shop. He left in a black Volkswagen.

At 12:10 p.m., Dec. 18, a civilian employee of the Wentzville Police Department saw Davis’ vehicle as it entered the parking lot of the Law Enforcement Center. Officers were alerted and responded. In the car, police said, they found a loaded 9mm weapon with six rounds in a 10-round magazine. Police said during an ensuing interview,Davis told police it was his wife’s gun and that he had fired the shots at a chair.

Police said Davis is being transferred to the St. Charles County Adult Detention Facility where he will be held on a $400,000 cash only bond.