ST. LOUIS — A man was charged Thursday in connection with a Saturday shooting on Cherokee Street during a Cinco de Mayo celebration, a day after charges were refused for a woman arrested in the case.
St. Louis police said Thursday that 33-year-old Darion Benton was arrested in connection with the shooting and charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. There is no bond allowed for Benton at this time.
According to the probable cause statement, cellphone video from the event shows Benton pulling a pistol from his waistband and leveling it in the direction of the crowd. He also admitted to firing it.
The arrest comes a day after a woman arrested in connection with the case was released after the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office refused to issue charges against the woman. Gardner's office refused the charges, citing a "lack of evidence" and that the "victim refuses to assist," according to police.
Police said the shooting happened at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Cherokee Street and Ohio Avenue. A woman told police she saw a fight between a large group when a person started waving a gun around.
Police said that person fired a shot.
The woman and a 25-year-old man were injured in the shooting. She was taken to the hospital for treatment, and the man refused medical treatment for a graze wound.
The Saturday shooting was the second shooting in as many days at the festival, which takes place on Cherokee Street between Nebraska and Jefferson Streets.
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