by St. Louis, Missouri – A 28-year-old figure skating coach was fatally shot Tuesday morning while sitting in a Starbucks drive-thru, leaving the local skating community in shock and mourning.
Police said Gabrielle “Sam” Linehan was inside her vehicle at the Starbucks located at 2030 South Grand Boulevard around 10 a.m. on Feb. 10 when she was shot.
Authorities believe the incident was connected to a robbery. Investigators say the suspect allegedly stole Linehan’s bank cards and driver’s license following the shooting.
Suspect Arrested, Facing Multiple Felony Charges
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department identified the suspect as 58-year-old Keith Brown, who was arrested the following day.
Brown has been charged with:
- First-degree murder
- Three counts of first-degree robbery
- Four counts of armed criminal action
- One count of unlawful possession of a firearm
Court records indicate the charges also relate to three additional robbery victims. A judge has ordered Brown to remain in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for March 11.
Police said a SWAT team executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home, where detectives reportedly located evidence tied to two prior robberies.
Remembered as a Dedicated Coach and Athlete
Linehan was a coach at Metro Edge Figure Skating Club and had a long history in synchronized skating.
According to her biography, she grew up skating with St. Louis Synergy teams, competing at juvenile, intermediate, and junior levels between 2008 and 2015. She later returned as part of the adult team in 2022.
She also represented Team USA from 2013 to 2015 and was part of the junior team that won a silver medal at the 2014 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. In 2023, she made her senior-level debut with Hockettes Elite 12 before returning to Synergy in 2024.
Linehan had previously earned her Gold Medal in Skating Skills, a significant milestone in figure skating achievement.
Community in Mourning
The president of Metro Edge Figure Skating Club described the loss as devastating.
“This loss is both sudden and profoundly heartbreaking for athletes, staff, and the entire skating community,” the statement read. “Coach Sam will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always a part of this community.”
Her longtime coach, Ramona Peterson, who met Linehan when she was just 10 years old, also spoke publicly about the impact of her death.
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“It’s like losing part of your soul,” Peterson said. “I’m just sad that I don’t get to see her continue to grow, to thrive, to inspire.”
Peterson noted that she became especially close to Linehan after the young coach lost her mother at a young age.
The skating organization St. Louis Synergy also issued a tribute, saying their focus now is on supporting Linehan’s family and ensuring skaters have the resources they need during this difficult time.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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