Wentzville Man Chased Ex-Girlfriend Around With Loaded Gun, Tried to Shoot Her, Police Say

A 52-year-old Wentzville man was arrested and charged after police say he repeatedly tried to shoot an ex-girlfiend with a loaded handgun. 

Jerry Beatty, 52, of the 1200 block of Continental Drive in Wentzville, was charged with first degree domestic assault, armed criminal action, and burglary first following an incident in O'Fallon on April 26. 

According to a release from the O'Fallon Police Department, police responded to a domestic assault call in the 100 block of Stage Coach Landing at 9:09 p.m. on April 26. Police said Beatty forcibly entered the home of an ex-girlfriend with a loaded gun. The woman had an active ex parte order of protection against the Beatty. 

Police said Beatty grabbed the woman by her hair and shoved her to the floor. Beatty then pulled the trigger on the weapon repeatedly, but it did not fire, according to a news release. The victim attempted to run away, but Beatty caught her and again threw her to the floor.

Police said Beatty again attempted to shoot her, and again the weapon still did not fire. The suspect then fled the scene. 

Police saw the suspect leaving the area and attempted to stop him, but he fled and a pursuit ensued. Beatty led police on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed into the center median of Interstate 70 near the Jennings Station road exit. Beatty was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. 

The St Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on Beatty on Thursday. He is being held on a $350,000 dollar bond. 

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the type of gun used in the incident.