Missouri Roofer Accused of Threatening to Shoot Co-Workers After Workplace Dispute
A Missouri roofer is facing felony charges after police say a dispute over his attendance and work performance escalated into threats against a roofing crew, including an alleged warning that he would return to the job site and shoot his co-workers if he was fired.
David E. Downing Jr., 40, has been charged with first-degree making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a firearm following an incident involving a roofing crew in St. Charles, Missouri.
According to police and court records cited by multiple news outlets, the confrontation began on August 20 while the roofing company was completing work at the Lewis & Clark Career Center on Zumbehl Road.
Police allege Downing arrived late to work and was subsequently reported to a supervisor for not working after he arrived. Downing reportedly overheard the conversation and became upset, claiming he was being disrespected.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, the crew was sent on a lunch break.
Co-Worker Allegedly Shown Gun and Crime Scene Photos
According to investigators, the situation became more concerning during the lunch break.
Police say Downing spoke with another co-worker about his criminal history and allegedly showed the worker crime scene photographs connected to a previous fatal shooting in Pennsylvania.
Downing also allegedly claimed that he had killed another person in St. Louis in an unsolved case. Authorities have not substantiated that claim.
Police say Downing then displayed a firearm described in reports as a Mini Draco-style pistol equipped with a 100-round drum magazine.
After the crew returned to the roofing job, the workplace dispute reportedly continued.
Downing was eventually told to go home and not return to the job the following day.
Investigators allege that Downing then made a threatening statement in front of approximately 10 or 11 employees, warning that if he was fired over the incident, he would return to the job site and harm the workers.
Several employees reportedly took the threat seriously and told management they did not feel comfortable returning to work.
Police Say Threats Continued
Authorities say the dispute did not end when Downing left the job site.
The following day, Downing allegedly contacted a member of the company’s management team and demanded that the workers each pay him $1,000 if he was going to be fired.
Police say Downing again threatened violence against the employees if the demand was not met.
Concerned about the safety of the crew, company leadership reportedly pulled workers from the job site. Downing was subsequently notified by text message that he had been fired.
The roofing company also reportedly limited activity at the job site following the threats. Only three employees were permitted to return on August 24 to unload materials, with no other work performed that day.
Downing was arrested August 25.
Prosecutors charged him with first-degree making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a firearm.
He was being held in the St. Charles County Jail on a $300,000 cash-only bond, according to reports published September 4. His next scheduled court appearance is September 9.
Previous Manslaughter Conviction
Downing’s criminal history has also drawn attention to the case.
He was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Pennsylvania in connection with the September 2019 shooting death of 50-year-old Derrick Potts.
According to court records cited in news reports, Downing was originally charged with murder, but a jury convicted him of the lesser offense of involuntary manslaughter in 2022.
He was sentenced to a term of 45 months to 12 years in prison and received credit for time already served while awaiting trial.
Downing was released on parole in April 2024.
His previous felony conviction is relevant to the new unlawful possession of a firearm charge.
Police have also reportedly contacted St. Louis authorities regarding Downing’s alleged statement that he was responsible for another, unsolved killing. There has been no indication that the claim has been verified.
The charges involving the roofing crew remain allegations. Downing has not been convicted of the new offenses.
