Incident Overview
On Saturday, December 20, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers with the St. Louis County Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at the Americas Best Value Inn, a budget hotel located at 6602 South Lindbergh Boulevard in Affton, a suburb of St. Louis in St. Louis County, Missouri.
Upon arrival, officers discovered one man deceased at the scene. The victim was identified as Jason Manes, 47, of Imperial, Missouri. He was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.
A preliminary investigation by detectives revealed that Manes had been involved in an altercation with a woman immediately prior to the shooting. The nature and circumstances of the altercation have not been publicly disclosed by investigators.
Following the incident, the woman was taken into custody and interviewed by detectives as a person of interest. The St. Louis County Police Department's Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is actively investigating the case.
A Life Lost
Jason Manes, 47, was a resident of Imperial, Missouri, a community in Jefferson County approximately 20 miles south of St. Louis. His death at the Affton hotel marks another life cut short by violence, leaving family and loved ones to grapple with the sudden loss during the holiday season.
Active Homicide Investigation
The St. Louis County Police Department's Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is actively investigating this homicide. One woman was taken into custody and interviewed as a person of interest following the incident.
As of the latest reports, no formal charges have been announced in connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
Location & Context
The Americas Best Value Inn is located at 6602 South Lindbergh Boulevard in Affton, an unincorporated community in south St. Louis County. The hotel is situated along a busy commercial corridor near Interstate 55, adjacent to a Costco warehouse and Hobby Lobby store.
Americas Best Value Inn is a budget hotel chain with properties across the United States. Online reviews indicate this particular location has a rating of approximately 3.0 stars, consistent with the budget hotel category. Budget hotels and motels often face unique security challenges due to factors including transient guest populations, limited staffing, and cost constraints that may affect security infrastructure.
Property Details
Property Type: Budget hotel/motel in a commercial corridor near I-55
Timing: The incident occurred on a Saturday night, approximately 9:30 p.m., during the holiday season just days before Christmas.
Altercation: The shooting was preceded by an altercation between the victim and a woman, though the specific circumstances have not been disclosed.
Hotel & Motel Security Standards
Hotels and motels have generally recognized duties to provide reasonable security for their guests. The specific measures required depend on factors including the property's location, crime history in the area, and industry standards. Security experts and hospitality industry guidelines have identified several measures commonly recommended for lodging establishments:
Surveillance Systems
Security cameras in hallways, stairwells, parking areas, and common spaces. Footage should be monitored and retained for a reasonable period to assist in investigations.
Access Control
Electronic key card systems for guest rooms, controlled access to guest floors, and secure entry points that limit access to registered guests and authorized personnel.
Adequate Lighting
Well-lit parking lots, walkways, hallways, and exterior areas. Proper lighting deters criminal activity and helps guests and staff identify potential threats.
On-Site Staffing
24-hour front desk coverage with trained staff who can respond to emergencies, monitor activity, and contact law enforcement when necessary.
Disturbance Response Training
Staff training to recognize signs of domestic disputes, altercations, or other disturbances, and clear protocols for when to intervene or contact law enforcement.
Emergency Response Systems
Panic buttons at the front desk, clear communication systems between staff, and established procedures for contacting emergency services.
Potential Negligent Security Considerations
Under Missouri law, hotels and motels owe a duty of reasonable care to their guests. This includes providing reasonably safe premises and may extend to implementing security measures to protect guests from foreseeable criminal acts. The specific measures required depend on factors including the property's location, prior incident history, and industry standards.
Several factors may warrant examination regarding this incident:
1 Security Measures in Place
What security measures, if any, were in place at the hotel—such as surveillance cameras in hallways, security personnel, or controlled access to rooms. Whether these measures met industry standards for budget hotels in similar locations.
2 Staff Training & Response
Whether staff were trained to recognize or respond to signs of domestic disputes or altercations. The incident was preceded by an altercation, raising questions about whether earlier intervention could have prevented the fatal outcome.
3 Budget Hotel Security Challenges
Whether the budget hotel segment typically presents heightened security concerns that would warrant additional protective measures. Cost constraints at budget properties may affect staffing levels, surveillance systems, and other security infrastructure.
4 Foreseeability & Prior Incidents
Whether prior incidents at this property or similar properties in the area would have made violence foreseeable and warranted enhanced security measures. A history of disturbances or criminal activity could establish that the property owner knew or should have known of security risks.
5 Surveillance & Monitoring
Whether the hotel maintained adequate surveillance, lighting, and security protocols for guest safety. The presence and placement of cameras, the quality of footage, and whether monitoring was active or passive are all relevant considerations.
Missouri Innkeeper Liability
Under Missouri law, hotels and motels are considered "innkeepers" with special duties to their guests. While innkeepers are not insurers of guest safety, they must exercise reasonable care to protect guests from foreseeable harm. This duty extends to maintaining reasonably safe premises and may include implementing security measures appropriate to the circumstances. Whether a hotel breached this duty depends on factors including the foreseeability of criminal activity, industry standards for similar properties, and the reasonableness of the security measures in place.