A 24-year-old Kansas woman has been charged after she allegedly shot a man who tried to stop her from assaulting a hotel employee, The Kansas City Star reported.
Samantha J. Thrasher was charged with two counts each of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting that injured a 36-year-old man, as well as a seven-year-old girl.
Blue Springs Police sent out a flyer asking for help in locating her, saying she Is “considered armed and very dangerous, so do not attempt to apprehend but call the local police if she is seen.”
According to The Star, the man had been shot at least four times, including in the back and groin area. The seven-year-old had a gunshot wound to her elbow.
The initial investigation revealed the victims first encountered Thrasher as they were walking into the hotel. A witness told police that Thrasher nearly struck the two victims and others with her tan Tahoe when she drove up onto the curb in front of the hotel.
The witness yelled at Thrasher and Thrasher yelled back. The witness later told police that she noticed that Thrasher’s pupils were allegedly dilated and her speech gave the impression she was under the influence of an unknown substance.
The witness told police that Thrasher went into the hotel lobby and demanded a refund for her room. The hotel employee responded that only a manager could do so. A verbal altercation ensued, and Thrasher allegedly grabbed the hotel employee by the hair and struck her, according to court documents.
The man intervened to try to stop the assault and escorted Thrasher out of the hotel. Then, Thrasher swung at the man with a closed fist before walking to her SUV.
Hotel surveillance video allegedly captured Thrasher opening the passenger side door and appearing to rummage through something. She then pulled out a handgun from inside the vehicle, returned to hotel lobby and allegedly fired multiple rounds from the gun at the man, striking him. One of the rounds went through a couch and passed through the girl’s elbow.
As of this writing, Thrasher has not been yet been arrested.
