Jefferson, CA: Man held on charges of killing wife at McDonalds

By Jeff HaldimanSaturday, December 18, 2010

A Jefferson City man is being held by authorities Saturday after fatally shooting his wife in a restaurant Friday night.


Emergency personnel respond to a shooting at McDonald’s on Jefferson Street on Friday evening. A 44-year-old woman was killed and police arrested a man they believe to be the shooter.

According to police reports, Keith Kellner, 47, was being held in the Cole County Jail on one count of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action.

At about 8:15 p.m. Friday, the Jefferson City Police Communications Center began receiving numerous calls of a shooting at McDonalds, located at 1918 Jefferson St. Officers responded to the scene and found that the victim, Pamela M. Kellner, 44, of Jefferson City, had been shot once in the chest. Officers began lifesaving efforts and EMS responded.

According to witnesses, the shooter, identified as Keith had been speaking with Pamela in a booth at McDonalds when one shot from a handgun was heard.

Witnesses said Pamela grabbed her chest and asked for police assistance, claiming she had been shot.

Keith then ran from the business toward U.S. 54. A short time later, he called 9-1-1 to let police know where he was, across the highway on Christy Drive.

Police in that area were able to locate Keith and take him into custody without incident. He was transported to the police department for questioning.

No one else was injured during the shooting.

Pamela, who was employed part-time by McDonalds, was taken to Capital Region Medical Center where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

Keith and Pamela were recently separated.