Kirkwood City Council shooting

On March 7, 2008, a shooting took place during a city council meeting in Kirkwood when a gunman opened fire, killing six people and injuring two others in the chamber. The incident occurred in a municipal building where council members and residents had gathered for a regular session.

The shooting resulted from escalating tensions over business regulations and municipal enforcement actions that had built up over several years. The gunman had previously challenged city decisions through legal means before resorting to violence.

The incident highlighted underlying tensions between the predominantly white Kirkwood community and the historically black Meacham Park neighborhood regarding governance and representation.

The building now operates under increased security measures that were put in place following the incident. Visitors should be aware that public meetings now involve stricter entry protocols and monitoring.

The gunman had filed a lawsuit against the city just ten days before the attack, and it had been dismissed shortly before he acted. This rejected legal challenge appeared to immediately precede his violent actions.

GPS coordinates: 38.58010,-90.40690

Latest update: December 18, 2025 11:41