A former Team USA medalist was fatally shot in a St. Louis Starbucks drive-thru as police accuse a repeat armed robbery suspect of pulling the trigger.
Gabrielle “Sam” Linehan, 28, sat inside her car Tuesday morning in the Tower Grove East neighborhood when a man in a high-visibility vest and helmet approached her window.
Police allege that 58-year-old Keith Lamon Brown confronted her at gunpoint before opening fire.
Investigators say surveillance footage shows Brown walking up to Linehan’s vehicle and ordering her to raise her hands.
Moments later, a shot rang out and struck the former competitive skater in the chest.
First responders transported Linehan to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Authorities allege Brown grabbed multiple bank cards and her driver’s license before fleeing the scene.
Officers arrested Brown the following day. Prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree robbery, four counts of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Brown remains held without bond at the St. Louis City Justice Center.
Court documents tie Brown to two additional armed robberies in the days leading up to Linehan’s killing.
Investigators say he used the same vest and helmet disguise in those incidents.
On February 6, Brown allegedly approached a vehicle at a Jack in the Box drive-thru while wearing the same high-visibility gear.
Authorities claim he pointed a gun at the driver and stole her purse, a 9mm handgun and the phone belonging to the driver’s daughter.
Police state that Brown fired shots during that encounter. Two days later, he allegedly entered a Dollar General and held a cashier at gunpoint.
During all three incidents, including the fatal Starbucks shooting, Brown allegedly discharged his firearm at least three times.
Law enforcement officials note his criminal history dates back to the mid-1980s.
Linehan’s killing rattled the local skating community and beyond. She earned silver for Team USA at the 2014 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships and later dedicated her time to coaching young skaters in the St. Louis area.
The Metro Edge Figure Skating Club confirmed that Linehan served as a coach. The organization issued a statement to KTVI-TV mourning her death.
“This loss is both sudden and heartbreaking for our athletes, staff, and broader community. We are focused on supporting Coach Sam’s family and providing care and resources for our skaters during this difficult time,” the club stated.
Friends said Linehan had stopped at Starbucks on her way to watch the Olympics at a friend’s home.
Instead of joining friends to celebrate winter sports, she became the victim of what police describe as a violent robbery spree.
Longtime coach Ramona Peterson spoke about Linehan’s skill and character in comments to KSDK.
“She was by far one of the most naturally talented kids I had coached. But beyond that, she was incredibly dedicated,” Peterson said.
Authorities allege Brown targeted random victims in drive-thru lanes and retail settings while masked by construction-style safety gear.
Investigators believe the disguise allowed him to approach vehicles without raising immediate alarm.
Police say they located items taken from the Jack in the Box victim in Brown’s possession.
Prosecutors argue the pattern of robberies shows escalation leading up to the fatal encounter with Linehan.
The Starbucks shooting unfolded as athletes and fans worldwide gathered for Winter Olympic events.
In a separate case tied to the Games, Italian Carabinieri officers arrested a 44-year-old Slovak national who had evaded authorities for 16 years.
Acting on an old warrant issued by Italian prosecutors, police tracked him to a guesthouse near Milan.
Authorities state the man returned to Italy to watch Slovakia’s national hockey team compete.
He had 11 months and seven days remaining on a sentence for shop thefts committed in 2010.
Police took him into custody after he checked in at the guesthouse and transported him to San Vittore prison.
Another Olympic controversy surfaced when French biathlete Julia Simon competed after a prior conviction for credit card fraud.
Simon, 29, received a three-month suspended prison sentence and a fine after a court found she used a teammate’s bank card.
The court determined Simon spent more than $2,380 using teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet’s card and also used the team physiotherapist’s card details in 2021 and 2022. Investigators discovered photos of the credit cards on her phone.
During a hearing, Simon admitted responsibility after denying the accusations for three years.
She told the court, “I can’t explain it. I don’t remember doing it. I can’t make sense of it.”
The French Ski Federation imposed a six-month ban, with five months suspended, and fined her $35,660, half of which was suspended. The ruling allowed her to compete at the Winter Games.
After winning gold in the women’s 15km individual race, Simon placed a finger to her lips on the podium. She later addressed the controversy.
“[The gesture was a way to show that] I’m here, I’m here for sports. I’m doing my best sport. So now we have to speak about sport and not about gossip. If you want to speak about gossip, you go away.”
She added in a separate interview, “What I would like now, in all honesty, is for you to leave me in peace.”
“The page has been turned within the team – we have spoken about it,” Simon said.
