Gas Station Assault Involves Officer and Two Women
Two women are facing charges after allegedly assaulting a security guard at a gas station in the St. Louis area. The twist? The guard is also a rookie police officer.
According to reports, Shaniya Lewis and Nayonna Griffin, both 20 years old, were charged by St. Louis County prosecutors. The charges include second-degree assault on a special victim and resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony. As of Tuesday, both suspects remained incarcerated on bonds set at $100,000 cash-only.
The incident took place at a QuikTrip gas station on Sunday morning. The security guard, who was off-duty and working an extra job, was confronted by Griffin when she allegedly threw items at him. Lewis then joined the fray, grappling with the guard and eventually taking him to the ground.
Reports indicate that Lewis punched the guard multiple times while Griffin stomped on his head. Remarkably, Lewis also attempted to grab the officer’s gun, although she was unsuccessful in removing it from its holster.
When other officers arrived to assist, they found Griffin still engaging in the altercation—pulling the guard’s hair, kicking, and trying to flee. She was unwilling to comply with the officers as they attempted to restrain her.
Store surveillance footage captured about four minutes of the encounter, which is currently being reviewed by detectives. Hillsdale Police officials highlighted the rookie officer’s restraint during the incident, noting that he did not use excessive force, which could have escalated into a more dangerous situation.
Hillsdale Assistant Police Chief Lt. Col. Herb Simmons expressed disappointment that bystanders recorded the altercation instead of intervening. He mentioned that if it had been someone close to them being attacked, their response would likely differ.
The rookie officer sustained minor injuries, including bite marks and bruises, and was taken to a hospital. Fortunately, he is expected to make a full recovery and return to his duties soon.
“He’s been a dedicated worker,” Simmons remarked, highlighting the rookie officer’s strong work ethic despite being new to the force.
