ST. LOUIS – A longtime firefighter with the St. Louis Fire Department is facing a felony weapons charge for firing his gun into the ground during a recent dispute.
Court documents reveal 17-year department veteran Christopher Dandridge is charged with unlawful use of a weapon, a Class E felony, after police say he confronted a group of people walking in his community and then fired a gun into the ground.
The incident occurred on the morning of Oct. 28 at an apartment complex off of North Theresa Avenue in the Grand Center neighborhood of St. Louis.
The probable cause statement reads as follows:
“The facts supporting this belief are as follows: We were advised by the victims that they were walking through an apartment complex when a man later self-admitted as the defendant approached them and asked them if they lived there. When they replied no, he went into an apartment, came out with a pistol, asked if they were scared now, and fired a shot into the ground. When the defendant was apprehended, he admitted his conduct.”
Dandridge is on paid leave from the department pending the outcome of his case. The department provided FOX 2 with the following statement:
“We have been made aware of the criminal charges brought against one of our members, and the subsequent investigation that is currently underway. In accordance with department and city policies/regulations, the member in question has been placed on administrative leave until the legal proceedings conclude.
Any further updates will be provided as they become available and are appropriate to share.”
Dandridge’s neighbors describe him as a stand-up guy who looks out for everyone in the community.
Neighbor Andre Davis tells FOX 2 he and his mother saw the whole incident happen. They said a group of teenagers were loitering in their complex, where they’ve had to deal with a rash of car break-ins and thefts. They allege Dandridge was out walking his dog when he confronted the teens, and that he only fired his gun into the ground because they started running toward him.
Davis’s mom, Brenda, has lived in the neighborhood for nearly 15 years. She feels teenagers have gotten out of control and hopes Dandridge does not get punished for doing what she views as the right thing.
“I pray for these children. I pray for the world as a whole. Chris has not done anything wrong. He didn’t put his hands on them. He was just protecting himself,” she said.
Dandridge was released from jail on Oct. 29, one day after his arrest. His first court date is set for Tuesday, Dec. 3.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
