Columbia man shot after attempted carjacking
A 52-year-old Columbia hockey coach was critically injured in an attempted carjacking early Saturday morning that resulted in him being shot in the face.
Police said that at about 2:30 a.m., Allen Lalk – working as an Uber driver – picked up two Black male subjects, ages 20 and 17, in North St. Louis.
After entering his vehicle, one of the passengers produced a firearm and held Lalk at gunpoint. Police said they initially desired to steal Lalk’s car but after realizing they could not drive a manual transmission vehicle, the passengers demanded Lalk take them to his residence in Columbia. He instead drove to the Columbia Police Department parking lot at 1020 N. Main Street.
Realizing where they were, the passengers fled on foot toward the area of Bolm-Schuhkraft City Park, but not before discharging the firearm, striking Lalk in the face.
Columbia police and EMS personnel provided immediate on-scene medical aid to Lalk, who was transported to an area hospital. He is expected to survive.
Meanwhile, the two subjects were seen following a search involving a K-9 unit and drone with the assistance of a CPD drone exiting a wooded area and entering a silver GMC SUV occupied by two females which police had observed driving slowly in the area.
The vehicle was stopped, and all four occupants were arrested. The two male passengers are believed to be the ones involved in the carjacking attempt, and the gun used to shoot Lalk was found.
Charges are expected to be filed Monday morning at the Monroe County Courthouse.
Lalk has served as head coach of the Columbia Eagles Hockey Club of the Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association the past few seasons.
The hockey club confirmed Lalk was the shooting victim in a Facebook post Sunday evening, sharing a link to a GoFundMe set up in support of his family.
“Showing incredible bravery and presence of mind, Allen made a split-second decision to drive to the police department in a desperate attempt to escape and get help,” the GoFundMe page states.
Check back for more information as it becomes available.
