ST. LOUIS — A woman is facing charges after allegedly shooting and killing the friend of her romantic partner that resulted from an argument over Easter weekend.
St. Louis prosecutors charged 24-year-old Jazzmyn Watford on Tuesday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
According to a probable cause statement from the city police department, Watford and the victim's friend were in a romantic relationship and lived together inside an apartment located in the 3300 block of Arsenal Street in St. Louis' Tower Grove East neighborhood.
On March 30, Watford and her girlfriend got into an argument because Watford accused her of cheating, police said. During the argument, Watford started fighting her girlfriend by pushing and scratching her, causing cuts to her girlfriend's arms and shoulders, according to a probable cause statement.
After the fight, her girlfriend locked herself in a bathroom to protect herself. That's when Watford grabbed a gun and called her girlfriend's friend to come to the apartment, police said. Her girlfriend left the bathroom to gather some of her belongings and leave and met her friend outside.
The friend saw marks on Watford's girlfriend from the fight and walked to the door to confront Watford. Watford met her at the door and a brief argument ensued. During the argument, the door latch was broken and Watford shot and killed the woman, police said.
Police said officers responded to a call for a shooting just before 4 a.m. Saturday at the apartment. When they arrived at the scene, they found the victim with a gunshot to her chest.
Paramedics transported her to an area hospital where she died. Her identity has not been released at this time.
Police detained Watford at the scene.
The department's Homicide Division responded and handled the investigation.
The investigation remained ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371, or anyone with a tip who wants to remain anonymous and is interested in a reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
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.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods.
