A St. Louis man who pleaded guilty to killing a Dutchtown convenience store employee was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
John Phillips, 45, admitted to killing Mack Wagner, 62, at the Kaiser Grand Mart in the 5000 block of South Grand Boulevard.
Prosecutors said that on July 29, 2024, Wagner approached Phillips as he was concealing items from inside the store in his bag and pockets. Wagner told Phillips to return the items and leave the store, and when he refused, the two got into a confrontation, during which Phillips threatened to “shoot up the place.”
As Phillips left the store, Wagner deployed pepper spray. Phillips then turned around and shot Wagner, who died at the scene. The fatal shooting was captured on surveillance video and witnessed by several store employees. On Friday, Phillips pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
