BERKELEY, Mo. — A man has been charged in a fatal Tuesday shooting in Berkeley.
The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis announced Friday that Jalen Black, 22, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of 34-year-old Todd Bishop.
The Major Case Squad was activated Tuesday to investigate the shooting. At 3:46 a.m., dispatchers with the Berkeley Police Department received a 911 call for shots fired on the 8000 block of Busiek Avenue. Responding officers found Bishop laying in his mother's front yard with gunshot wounds. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to a probable cause statement, shell casings were found at Black's home, which is next to the home where Bishop was found. Police got a warrant to search the home and found a Glock Modell 22. Analysis of the gun matched the casings at the scene and the bullets that struck Bishop.
After being read his Miranda rights, Black admitted to investigators that he shot at Bishop, according to the probable cause statement.
Black was being held Friday at St. Louis County Jail on a $1 million cash-only 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.
Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to "stabilize inner-city neighborhoods." One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program.
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 an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with St. Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to de-escalate violent situations within their own communities.
