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A 28-year-old figure skating coach and beloved community member was shot and killed during an apparent armed robbery at a Starbucks drive-thru in St. Louis' Tower Grove East neighborhood on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Sam Linehan, who coached at the Metro Edge Figure Skating Club in Webster Groves and worked as a general manager at acclaimed local restaurants including Sado and Yellowbelly, was ordering a beverage around 10 a.m. when 58-year-old Keith Lamon Brown approached her vehicle.

According to St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) details shared at a press conference, Brown demanded that Linehan raise her hands above her head before opening fire, killing her. He then stole her bank cards, driver's license, and allegedly a gun from her purse before fleeing.

Brown was arrested early Wednesday following a SWAT search of his home, where he was armed and in possession of items linked to Linehan and prior victims. He faces charges including first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, three counts of armed criminal action, and additional robbery-related offenses. A judge has denied bond.

Police linked Brown to at least two prior armed robberies in the area:

• On February 6, he allegedly robbed a woman and her daughter at gunpoint in a Jack in the Box drive-thru on North Grand Boulevard, taking their belongings and firing a shot into the air afterward.
• On February 8, he reportedly entered a Dollar General store, held an employee at gunpoint, demanded money, and fired two rounds into the air upon exiting.

In both cases, the suspect wore a distinctive neon construction vest, which matched items found during Brown's arrest. Security footage from those incidents was not initially released as connections were not yet established, but police now consider them part of the same crime spree.

Court records indicate Brown's criminal history dates back to 1986, including prior convictions and charges for offenses such as burglary, robbery, and armed criminal action. In 1995, he was convicted of first-degree robbery and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The Metro Edge Figure Skating Club issued a heartfelt tribute: “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.”

Linehan was a former competitive skater who represented Team USA and won a silver medal at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in 2014. Colleagues and friends described her as a mentor, friend, and vibrant presence in St. Louis' figure skating and restaurant scenes, with many expressing shock and grief over her sudden death.

The community remains shaken by the random violence, with the investigation ongoing to determine if additional charges or connections emerge.