Deadly shooting in High Ridge leaves nearby business owners concerned about safety

HIGH RIDGE, Mo. (First Alert 4) - High Ridge business owners are sharing their shock - and calling for changes - after a double shooting in the parking lot of a diner left one man dead and another injured.

“It’s scary to think that we could have been here when it happened,” Rebekkah Wekerle, owner of Good Effects Salon, exclaimed.

Good Effects Salon is relatively new to High Ridge Boulevard, opening back in April. Hearing about two men being shot just down the road is troubling.

“I was worried about the business. I was worried about my girls,” Wekerle stated. “It was late at night, so nobody was at work, so I was thankful for that, but I was still concerned with it being as close as it is, thinking about us here at night, leaving the parking lot.”

First Alert 4 crews on scene saw police activity in the Krieg Plaza strip mall around 8:30 Thursday night.

Daves Diner High Ridge later posted on Facebook that the shooting occurred in the parking lot of their business.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, Robert Kalbach, 21, of Dittmer, Missouri, drove to the business and made contact with a group that included the two men who were shot.

Witnesses reported an altercation between Kalbach and members of that group, during which multiple individuals threw eggs at Kalbach’s car.

While still inside the car, Kalbach reportedly pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots, hitting two men.

He then drove away from the scene, but was later taken into custody.

“It feels scary, honestly,” Wekerle said. “I’ve grown up here my whole life, and the increase in road rage, the aggressive driving, just the anger issues and people reacting instead of being emotionally mature enough to respond or handle a situation differently is scary.”

The Sheriff’s Office said both victims were taken to area hospitals. Joseph Schertler, 26, of Cedar Hill, later died. We do not yet have the condition of the second victim.

“There are very real crimes happening right in our backyard and there are not enough people to prevent it,” Wekerle stated.

Other businesses First Alert 4 spoke with did not want to go on camera, but echoed similar sentiments to Wekerle, saying they’ve noticed an increase in crime in the area.

“I would feel more comfortable with a larger police presence in the area and the community,” Wekerle explained. “I think they’re just outmanned - I think they’ve done a great job with the resources they have, but I think they need more.”

And they all hope that incidents like these will stop soon enough.

“Just the fact that there was a shooting says enough,” Wekerle said.

On Friday, Jefferson County prosecutors charged Kalbach with first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of armed criminal action.

He is currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond.