ST. LOUIS – In a press conference held outside of their St. Louis home on Tuesday morning, the next governor of Missouri, Eric Greitens, said he is grateful that his wife, Sheena, is safe and extended their thanks to law enforcement. It was announced Monday evening that Sheena had been robbed at gunpoint not far from their Central West End home.
“When we put our boys to bed last night, we said a special prayer to God for his protection,” Gov.-elect Greitens said. “And we said a prayer for all of law enforcement, who put their lives on the line to protect all of us and all of our families every night.”
Missouri’s future First Lady was robbed not far from their home in Central West End of St. Louis. St. Louis police say Sheena Greitens was parked in her car at a restaurant on West Pine shortly after 6 p.m. The suspects took her cell phone and laptop. Authorities do not believe Sheena was targeted, as the suspects have been connected to several other crimes in the area. Police located and took three suspects, ages 14, 15, and 19 into custody on Monday night.
The future governor appeared to be very emotional while addressing the media Tuesday morning.
“My first thought as a husband was for my wife’s safety. My second thought was for justice. And I’m glad these men of law enforcement found these young men before I did,” he said. “These young men victimized many people last night, and they need to face the justice system for what they did.”
Greitens also said that his thoughts turned to the boys involved in the crimes and to their families.
“As a father, I know that for these young men, their lives also changed and I feel for their families,” he said. “Faith teaches us that we must forgive. And that’s what Sheena and I plan to do.”
“We want those young men to know that today, we want their families to know that today,” he continued, his voice cracking. “I plan to sit down with their mothers and their families to discuss what we can do together to make sure that every family and every community in the state of Missouri knows that they can go home at night, look at their kids, and know they will be safe.”
The newly-elected governor has vowed to increase public safety in the coming months, as both he and his wife said the events of the previous night only highlighted what is an increasing concern all across the state.
“Law and order must prevail. It must prevail in all of our communities,” he said. “But I also recognize that we have a choice to make here in the state of Missouri. If we continue down our current path, it will continue to lead to more disorder, more lawlessness, more chaos, people living farther and farther apart from each other, divided by fear. This has strengthened my belief that we must do different in the state of Missouri.”
The governor did not say what his plans included, but his senior advisor Austin Chambers said that they will be holding meetings and releasing details in the coming weeks.
Captain John Hotz of the Missouri State Highway Patrol says that the Governor Security Division has not provided security in the past to any First Lady until inauguration, but will begin providing protection to Sheena Greitens immediately.
Travis Zimpfer contributed to this report.
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
