You pull into a drive-thru expecting a quick stop, and the day turns tragic — a popular skating coach, Sam Linehan, was shot at a Starbucks in St. Louis during what police say followed a multi-day robbery spree. A 58-year-old man now faces first-degree murder and related charges after authorities linked the attack to several armed robberies earlier that week.
This piece will walk through the shooting and the police account of the robberies, explain what investigators have said about the suspect and charges, and look at how the local skating community is responding to Linehan’s death. Stay with the details on the timeline, the criminal allegations, and the personal impact on those who knew her.
Starbucks Drive-Thru Shooting and Robbery Spree
A man accused of a multi-day robbery spree allegedly confronted multiple victims in drive-thrus and retail locations before a fatal encounter at a Starbucks on South Grand. Police say surveillance, victim reports, and recovered items tied the incidents together and led to an arrest.
Timeline of Events: From Robbery Spree to Shooting
Investigators allege the incidents began February 6 with an armed robbery at a Jack in the Box on South Grand, followed by a February 8 robbery at a Dollar General on North Grand. Officers say shots were fired during some of the earlier incidents but no one was reported injured in those cases.
On February 10, around 10:00 a.m., a woman in the Starbucks drive-thru on the 2300 block of South Grand was shot and later died at a hospital. Authorities identified the victim as 28-year-old Sam Linehan, a figure skating coach and restaurant manager.
Police tied the February 10 shooting to the earlier robberies by noting similar suspect clothing—reports describe a neon safety vest and a hard hat—and a pattern of demanding property from drivers and customers. St. Louis Metropolitan Police posted images and details as they pursued leads in Tower Grove East and surrounding neighborhoods.
How the Suspect Was Identified and Arrested
Officers reviewed surveillance footage from the three incidents and matched clothing, movements, and timing across locations. Witness statements and physical descriptions reinforced the match. Detectives linked certain stolen items recovered during searches to victims of the prior robberies.
Police arrested Keith Lamon Brown on February 10. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said he was armed at the time of arrest and taken into custody without bond. Local outlets including Fox 2 Now and others reported on the arrest and the department’s public advisories to avoid approaching the suspect prior to custody.
Law enforcement credited the rapid identification to cooperative witnesses, cross-checking of video, and recovered property. The police also noted community concern in Tower Grove East as investigators closed the case loop between the robberies and the deadly drive-thru encounter.
Legal Charges and Evidence Collected
Prosecutors charged Keith Lamon Brown with first-degree murder, multiple counts of first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon. Court documents list three robbery counts and four counts of armed criminal action tied to the spree.
During a search of Brown’s residence, investigators reportedly recovered clothing consistent with surveillance images, victims’ personal items, and items officers described as linking him to the Dollar General and Jack in the Box incidents. Police also noted video evidence from each location and physical evidence from the Starbucks vehicle.
The St. Louis legal filings and police statements emphasize the combination of video, recovered property, and eyewitness accounts as the core of the prosecution’s case. Brown remains held as the case proceeds through the St. Louis court system.
Remembering Sam Linehan and the Skating Community’s Loss
Sam Linehan’s sudden death left a void across local rinks and the national synchronized skating scene. She combined competitive experience, coaching skill, and community leadership in ways people still recall vividly.
Coach Sam’s Career and Achievements
Sam Linehan began skating competitively as a youth and later focused on synchronized skating, earning recognition on the national circuit. She competed with teams that reached high placements at the U.S. synchronized skating championships and later channeled that experience into coaching.
As a coach, she emphasized edge quality, precision in formations, and musical timing. Skaters credit her with improving team cohesion and technical consistency. She also worked in rink programs that bridged youth development and competitive synchronized teams.
Her career included roles beyond coaching: Linehan served as a mentor to younger coaches and helped design practice plans that balanced skill progression with injury prevention. Colleagues describe her as meticulous and encouraging, qualities that helped athletes advance to higher-level competition and, for some, Team USA consideration.
Impact on Metro Edge Figure Skating Club and Team USA
At Metro Edge Figure Skating Club, Linehan coached both singles and synchronized groups, raising the technical standard across squads. Her work with synchronized teams contributed to Metro Edge’s reputation for clean lines and disciplined formations during regional and national competitions.
Several skaters she coached moved into larger competitive programs and trials for national teams. Her focus on synchronization and transitions helped athletes aiming for Team USA visibility, particularly in synchronized skating disciplines. Local competitions reflected Metro Edge’s sharper footwork and fewer deductions after her coaching tenure.
Club officials and teammates credited her with strengthening practice structure, recruiting committed skaters, and improving competitive results at the U.S. synchronized skating championships. Her techniques and drills remain in use at the club’s sessions.
Reactions from Family, Friends, and Skaters
Family and friends described Linehan as warm, disciplined, and deeply invested in her skaters’ growth. They recalled late-night travel to competitions and quiet one-on-one sessions where she corrected subtle technical errors.
Skaters posted memories of specific lessons that changed their performance habits—foot placement, lift timing, or formation holds. Teammates mourned losing a coach who doubled as a motivator and a technical critic who pushed them to cleaner lines.
Metro Edge organized vigils and on-ice memorials that drew current and former skaters, reflecting how widely she influenced the community. Public statements from club members and peers highlighted both her competitive résumé and the personal mentorship she provided.
More from Decluttering Mom:
