Executive Summary
- Three armed suspects robbed the AI Vape Studio in Elsberry, MO, on December 26.
- One employee was shot in the lower back but managed to secure the store; a second employee was held at gunpoint.
- Lincoln County Sheriff’s investigators believe the motive was theft of cash and merchandise.
- Police are urging the public to provide tips to assist in the ongoing search for the suspects.
Law enforcement authorities in Lincoln County are actively searching for three suspects following an armed robbery and shooting at a vape store in Elsberry, Missouri. The incident, which occurred on the evening of December 26, left one employee wounded and prompted a multi-agency manhunt.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the robbery took place at the AI Vape Studio around 7:00 p.m. Owner Stephen Gore reported that three armed assailants rushed into the business. One suspect immediately approached a female employee, placed a pillow over her head, and held her at gunpoint. The situation escalated when the suspects were startled by a second employee located in the back of the store.
Gore stated that the second employee witnessed a suspect draw a weapon and attempted to turn away. “The bullet went through his lower back, below his shoulder blade, out the other side into the wall,” Gore told KSDK. Despite the injury, the employee managed to secure the premises after the suspects fled. “I look at it, he’s the hero in the situation, he did scare them off and he reacted really well after getting shot,” Gore added.
Lincoln County Sheriff Rick Harrell indicated that investigators believe the primary motive was theft, noting that the suspects arrived equipped with bags and a hammer. “We believe they were meant to carry out a robbery and the shooting occurred and they fled after the shooting,” Sheriff Harrell said. Gore suspects the individuals were targeting cash and vape products for resale and theorized that the assailants may be minors.
Elsberry Police Chief Christopher Walter has issued a call for public assistance in identifying the perpetrators. “If you know something, say something. We’re a relatively small community, so they can look at the clothing description, take a look at the body posture, help us bring justice,” Chief Walter stated. Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage and descriptions to track down the suspects.
Investigative Outlook
Local law enforcement is prioritizing the identification of the suspects through community tips and forensic evidence gathered at the scene. The cooperation of the public is considered vital in this active investigation, particularly given the violent nature of the offense in a typically quiet municipality. Sheriff Harrell emphasized that even minor details provided by witnesses could be critical to the case. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
