Dispute Over Onion Rings at Steak ‘n’ Shake Escalates to Gunfire Incident

A Missouri woman is facing first-degree murder charges following an alleged fatal shooting of a Steak ‘n’ Shake employee after a dispute over her meal order.

Jada Bell, aged 20, was apprehended by St. Louis County Police on Monday, linked to the tragic shooting of 32-year-old Chauncia Meekins. As detailed in a police statement, Meekins was attending the drive-thru window at the Steak ‘n’ Shake in Spanish Lake, Missouri, on the evening of April 8. The altercation began when Bell, dissatisfied with her order, had a confrontation with the restaurant staff.

According to Meekins’ family, who spoke to local CBS affiliate KMOV, the disagreement centered around onion rings.

The police report states that the exchange escalated when Bell allegedly threw a drink at Meekins. In retaliation, Meekins threw a drink back. Bell is then accused of pulling out a handgun and firing multiple shots, striking Meekins and another Steak ‘n’ Shake employee. The second victim sustained a gunshot wound to the hand and was hospitalized.

Authorities say the entire episode was recorded on security cameras. The footage reportedly shows Bell driving a white SUV, and her cellphone was tracked at the Steak ‘n’ Shake site during the shooting.

Bell faces charges of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, and illegal weapon use. She is currently detained at the St. Louis County Jail with a $1 million cash-only bond. Her upcoming court appearance is set for April 28.

Meekins’ family found out about the arrest from KMOV on Monday while attending a vigil for Meekins at the Steak ‘n’ Shake where she was killed. Her cousin, Anthony Willhite, told KMOV that the family supported pursuing the death penalty for Bell, “but not for revenge. To set an example, because we need to stop this type of senseless violence out here.”

A GoFundMe page was started to raise money for Meekins’ funeral expenses.