St. Louis (KMOV) -- Residents living in the 2200 block of North Benton Ave. in St. Charles woke up to rapid gun fire just after 4:30 a.m. Saturday.

St. Charles police said Ricky Prentice, 51, is suspected of shooting and killing his girlfriend.

According to police, Dana Fincher, 33, was pronounced dead at the scene and is believed to have been shot while trying to leave the area.

Prentice and Fincher were believed to have been involved in a dispute early Saturday morning.

Fincher tried to leave their home in an SUV. Shots were fired into the vehicle and struck Fincher.

The SUV came to a stop across the street from the couple’s home.

Police said Prentice took his girlfriend’s body out of the car, laid her on the grass and backed the car up and parked it and returned to the house.

Warrants for Murder in the 1st degree and Armed Criminal Action have been issued against Prentice through the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. 

Bond has been set at $500,000 cash only.