Missouri Neighbor Kills 2 in House Springs Dispute, Dies by Suicide at 73

Q: How did a simple noise complaint in Missouri escalate into a double homicide before the gunman evaded justice by taking his own life?

It escalated because authorities say a longtime neighbor dispute turned into an armed confrontation in which Robert Winkelman arrived at the home already prepared to use deadly force. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, 73-year-old Winkelman walked to Jessica Lashly’s home in House Springs on July 25 to complain about ongoing frustrations with activity there, reportedly including noise. Investigators say that after Lashly, 38, responded to him, Winkelman pulled out a handgun and shot her in the head. Her 17-year-old daughter, Jersey Greer, then tried to help her mother. Authorities say Winkelman shot Greer in the head as well. A third person at the home was chased by Winkelman but was not shot. Multiple witnesses were reportedly present and gave investigators accounts of what happened. Both victims were taken to a hospital and died days later, making the attack a double homicide. Family members said Greer’s final act was trying to save her mother. Winkelman did not face trial because, when deputies later confronted him outside his own home, authorities say he shot himself in the head. He remained hospitalized in critical condition and died on Aug. 2. Investigators said that had he survived, he would have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. In Missouri, those charges reflect an allegation that the killings were deliberate and carried out with a firearm during the commission of a felony.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 6

Jefferson County investigators said 73-year-old Robert Winkelman walked to a House Springs neighbor's home on July 25, shot 38-year-old Jessica Lashly and her 17-year-old daughter Jersey Greer in the head, and chased a third person.
Police said Winkelman went over to complain about noise and had ongoing frustrations with activities at the home, which a sheriff's office spokesman described as a dispute between neighbors.
Lashly and Greer died days later at a local hospital, and Winkelman shot himself when deputies confronted him at his home; he died Aug. 2.
The sheriff's office said Winkelman would have faced two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action.
Family members and a coach remembered Greer as brave for trying to help her mother and described Lashly as a single mother supporting her daughters.