Man Found Guilty After Pulling Gun In Fast Food Meltdown

June 17, 2025

ST. LOUIS, MO (June 17, 2025) — A fast food order turned violent when a 60-year-old man pulled a gun and pistol-whipped two restaurant employees, now a St. Louis jury has found him guilty on all charges. Reginald Wright, 60, was convicted on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, of two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon, for a violent assault on July 7, 2024, in the 1200 block of Hampton Avenue in the City’s Clayton-Tamm neighborhood. The jury deliberated for one hour and 37 minutes.

The incident began when Wright grew frustrated with a Steak ‘n Shake employee, believing his food didn’t match the photo on the menu. After being issued a refund, his anger escalated, and he threw coins at the employee, sparking a confrontation. Wright then pulled a loaded firearm, racked it, and pointed it at the employee. He then chased down the retreating employee, a 21-year-old woman, and pistol-whipped her. Another employee tried to intervene, and Wright pistol-whipped him, too.

Wright fled the scene but was later located by police after his vehicle was identified by the Real Time Crime Center. He was arrested with the same firearm, which was found to be operable. Wright admitted to being involved in the incident but claimed self-defense. Surveillance footage contradicted that claim.

“This wasn’t a misunderstanding; it was a deliberate act of violence,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “Brandishing and using a loaded gun on unarmed employees inside a restaurant is indefensible.”

The court found Wright to be a prior and persistent offender due to his prior convictions for first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. His sentencing is scheduled for August 8, 2025.

Assistant Circuit Attorney Nicholas Hirst and Chief Trial Attorney Marvin O. Teer prosecuted the case.

The defendant’s case number is 2422-CR02027-01.

For Immediate Release

For more information contact:

Amber Raub

Public Information Officer

St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office

rauba@stlouiscao.org

314-589-6233 (office)

314-312-9912 (cell)

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