HANLEY HILLS, Mo. — A St. Louis man who police said posed as a legitimate buyer during a gun sale is facing a second-degree murder charge among other felonies, accused of fatally shooting the seller last summer in Hanley Hills.
Charges were filed Thursday in St. Louis Circuit Court against Jason Dorsey for attempted robbery, armed criminal action and second-degree murder.
According to the probable cause statement, before the incident, the victim, James Wright, spoke to the suspect, Jason Dorsey, on a messaging app about selling a gun to him. Police said Dorsey tricked Wright into thinking that it would be a legitimate gun sale and tried to rob him at gunpoint.
On June 30, 2023, the two met on a parking lot in the 7700 block of Utica Drive in Hanley Hills. Video surveillance showed Dorsey pulling a gun on Wright while his back was turned during the deal. As Wright was turning to face Dorsey, Dorsey shot him, police said. Wright then returned fire as Dorsey ran off.
Mid County Fire and paramedics responded to the scene and found Wright shot. Wright did not survive his injuries.
Dorsey was later found in a nearby wooded area, where police said he had shot and injured himself. The stolen gun used in the incident was also found nearby; it had been disassembled and thrown into a creek.
Dorsey was being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center on a $500,000 bond.
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. Violence interrupters are trained to de-escalate violent situations within their own communities.
