Woman shot after allegedly hitting employee with gun inside Alton store is charged

ALTON, Ill. (KMOV) – A woman who was shot after she reportedly went into an Alton store and hit an employee in the head with a gun is facing charges.

Lashelle Barrett, 29, of Godfrey, is charged with aggravated battery, unlawful use of weapons, child endangerment, and three counts of aggravated assault.

Barrett entered the Rent-A-Center on Homer Adams Parkway around 10 a.m. on June 6 to confront a relative who worked there, Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. There was reportedly an active order of protection prohibiting contact with her relative and from being at the store. Prosecutors allege she left an infant in the car outside the Rent-A-Center.

An argument between the two escalated into a physical fight. During the fight, Barrett hit the employee in the head with a gun, Alton Fire Battalion Chief Derrick Richardson told News 4. Another employee then shot Barrett three times.

After being shot, Barrett got into a car and drove off. She was found injured inside a car at Claire and Seminary streets. She was taken to a local hospital and later flown to a St. Louis hospital for treatment.

The person hit in the head with the gun suffered a serious head injury and is being treated at the hospital, Chief Richardson said. Prosecutors declined to charge the employee who shot Barrett.

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