Jefferson City Man Charged After Handgun Incident at Local Store

Prosecutors allege Antonio M. Luper-Stone pulled out a handgun and pointed it at a woman during an argument.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A Jefferson City man has been charged with Unlawful Use of Weapon - Exhibiting and Fourth Degree Assault after a woman reported he pulled out a handgun and pointed it at her during an argument at a local store. Police arrested Luper-Stone at the scene and later found the gun in his vehicle after obtaining a search warrant.

Why it matters

Incidents involving firearms in public places raise serious public safety concerns, especially when they occur in retail establishments frequented by the general public. This case highlights the need for de-escalation training and conflict resolution skills among both customers and store employees to prevent such volatile situations from arising.

The details

According to court documents, the incident occurred on February 22, 2026 at around 3:37 pm at a store in the 700 block of Madison Street in Jefferson City. A woman called 911 to report that a man, later identified as Antonio M. Luper-Stone, had pulled out a small black pistol with a green handle and pointed it at her during an argument inside the store. Police arrived on the scene and took Luper-Stone into custody. Surveillance footage showed Luper-Stone leaving a bag containing the gun in his vehicle, which police later searched and recovered the firearm.

  • The incident occurred on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 3:37 pm.
  • Luper-Stone was arrested at the scene by responding officers.
  • On Monday, February 23, 2026, police obtained a search warrant and recovered the gun from Luper-Stone's vehicle.

The players

Antonio M. Luper-Stone

A Jefferson City resident who was charged with Unlawful Use of Weapon - Exhibiting and Fourth Degree Assault after allegedly pulling out a handgun and pointing it at a woman during an argument at a local store.

The Woman

An unnamed individual who reported to police that Luper-Stone pulled out a handgun and pointed it at her during an argument inside the store.

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What’s next

A warrant has been issued for Luper-Stone's arrest, and he will face a judge to determine if he will be allowed out on bail pending further legal proceedings.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for improved conflict de-escalation training and policies in retail settings to prevent volatile situations from escalating and putting the public at risk. It also highlights the importance of responsible gun ownership and the proper handling of firearms in public spaces.