Scott Russell Jones, 22, was killed on Sunday, March 5, 2023, during a stop for food in Desloge, St. Francois County, Missouri. Jones, a resident of Fenton, was seated in the front of a vehicle waiting in the drive-thru at a Jack in the Box on North Desloge Drive at about 8:00 a.m. A passenger in the back seat was handling a 9mm handgun owned by 25-year-old Kyle Christopher Walters of Dittmer. The Desloge Police Department reports the firearm accidentally discharged inside the vehicle; the bullet traveled through the back of the driver’s seat and struck Jones in the back. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene shortly before 8:00 a.m.

Investigators determined the shooting was unintentional and arrested Walters. He was charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and entered a guilty plea on October 27, 2023; the seven-year prison term was suspended and he was ordered to serve five years of supervised probation. If anyone knew Scott or has information about the circumstances that morning, please share what you know.