ST. LOUIS — Charges were issued Friday against a man who police said fatally shot his former girlfriend during an argument inside a north St. Louis home.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 41-year-old Julius Massey was taken into custody Thursday. Prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder and armed criminal action on Friday.
Police said the incident happened Wednesday night in the 4600 block of Pope Avenue. Responding officers found a woman in her 40s shot in the head and shoulder. She was unconscious and not breathing when they arrived. She later died from her injuries.
As of Friday afternoon, police have not released her identity.
According to a probable cause statement, Massey and the woman were former romantic partners who had been drinking at a friend's home. When an argument broke out between the former couple, the friend went to a different room but witnessed the woman go to the bathroom as Massey followed her. The argument continued into the bathroom and the friend heard a single gunshot.
The witness said they heard more arguing and then more gunshots before they saw Massey leave the home. The witness called the police, who found the woman dead in the bathroom with two gunshots to the head. The police department's Homicide Division responded.
The friend told police they only knew Massey by a nickname, "Twin," but helped them reach the woman's daughter. Her daughter identified "Twin" as Massey and told detectives about the former relationship between the two.
Both the witness and daughter picked Massey out in a photo line-up.
Massey was later arrested and questioned by detectives. He admitted to being inside the home the night of the shooting.
Massey was being held without 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.
