ST. LOUIS — Charges were issued Tuesday against a man in connection to a fatal shooting on a Crown Food Mart parking lot in north St. Louis.
St. Louis prosecutors charged Willie Warren, 32, with one count each of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Editor's note: The above-related video was originally broadcast on March 10, 2024.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting happened on the night of March 10 on the parking lot of the Crown Food Market at 1451 North Kingshighway Blvd.
Arriving officers found Eugene Stapleton, 39, lying on the parking lot with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers viewed store surveillance video showing a group of people arguing outside the store. Warren could be seen walking toward the group from the south side of the parking lot with a gun in his right hand, hiding it behind his right leg, the probable cause statement said.
When Stapleton and others in the group walked away from each other, Warren suddenly raised his right arm and shot at them multiple times. He fatally struck Stapleton as a result of the gunfire, court documents said.
During a later interview with investigators, Warren admitted to shooting the gun and then tossing it in a nearby river.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
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