Man who opened fire inside an Applebee’s restaurant, killing one woman and permanently injuring two others

A man who opened fire inside an Applebee’s restaurant, killing one woman and permanently injuring two others, has now been sentenced to life in prison.

On February 19, 2026, 34-year-old Courtney Washington was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the fatal shooting inside the Applebee’s restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri.

In January 2026, Washington was convicted of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and three counts of armed criminal action in connection with the shooting.

On June 22, 2020, Washington was eating dinner with his girlfriend and others inside the Applebee’s restaurant when he suddenly got up and shot Kimberly Penton and her friend, Lakeshia Finch. He then moved to another area of the restaurant and shot Kinloch firefighter Arlydia Bufford before leaving the scene.

Penton died as a result of her injuries. The two surviving victims suffered life-altering injuries. One woman is now paralyzed, and another is blind in one eye after being shot in the head.

Officers arrested Washington at his home the following morning. Investigators later recovered a firearm from his closet that matched cartridge casings found at the crime scene.

There were 18 witnesses inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting, including the two surviving victims.

In addition to the life sentence, he was also sentenced to 20 years in prison for each of the accompanying counts of armed criminal action.

According to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Washington has never provided a motive for the shooting.