Family of Steak ‘n Shake worker allegedly killed over onion rings calls for death penalty for suspect

2 hours ago

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

SPANISH LAKE, Mo. (KMOV/Gray News) – The family of a Steak ‘n Shake worker allegedly shot and killed following an argument over onion rings is calling for the suspect charged in the case to face the death penalty.

Jada Bell, 20, is being charged for the deadly shooting at a Steak ‘n Shake on April 8.(St. Louis County Police Department)

The family of 32-year-old Chauncia Meekins gathered for a vigil Monday outside the Steak ‘n Shake in St. Louis where she was shot and killed the night of April 8. She was working the drive-thru when St. Louis County Police say an argument took place, and the driver shot through the window, killing Chauncia Meekins and injuring her co-worker.

The argument was over onion rings, according to Tamela Washington, Chauncia Meekins’ mother.

“It’s never that serious to take a person’s life over fast food,” Washington said.

St. Louis County prosecutors announced Monday that 20-year-old Jada Bell is charged with six felonies in the case, including first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

“I saw my daughter as she’s getting ready to be laid to rest,” said Chauncia’s father, Chauncey Lovell Meekins. “She looked beautiful and happy. I didn’t know why. But now I know why she is happy because her crime has been solved.”

Family members released balloons at the vigil, which took place the day before Chauncia Meekins’ funeral. They say Bell’s arrest does not bring their loved one back but brings them one step closer to accountability.

The family is calling for Bell to face the death penalty in this case.

“As a family, as a whole, we will be pushing for the death penalty, not for revenge, but to set an example because we need to stop this type of senseless violence out here; it doesn’t make sense,” said Anthony Willhite, Chauncia Meekins’ cousin.

Willhite says the violence could happen anywhere, to anyone.

“Chauncia just so happened to be in harm’s way; this could have been anyone’s child, at the convenience store buying potato chips, at the gas station taking too long at the pump,” he said.

Shooting caught on video

Investigators say the shooting was captured on Steak ‘n Shake’s surveillance video.

Court records show Bell went to the drive-thru on April 8 and, while at the window, had a dispute with the employees, including Chauncia Meekins, over her food order.

Investigators say Bell threw her drink at the victim, who threw it back at her. The suspect then allegedly fired several shots from a handgun at the 32-year-old, who died as a result.

A male employee was shot in the hand.

What led to Bell’s arrest

At a Tuesday press conference, detectives said Bell’s arrest was due to meticulous investigation, connecting every tool at their disposal to connect the suspect’s movements that day. Cell phone technology, tracking techniques and long hours went into this investigation, according to St. Louis County officials.

Police say the shooting appears to have been a random event, and there were no known prior incidents between the suspect and the victim.

Detectives say they know Bell’s arrest will not bring Chauncia Meekins back to her family but hope that it will bring some sense of justice.

With the family calling for the death penalty, prosecutors addressed whether it would be considered in this case.

County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith told reporters that any homicide cases, “where the homicide team assigned to it is considering the death penalty, they meet together as a team, they put together a memo and they will come to me and meet on that – and that has not happened at this time.”

Bell is being held on a $1 million, cash-only, no 10% bond. She will appear in court for a bond hearing next Tuesday.

Law enforcement officials say she has not been cooperating with their investigation.

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