ST. LOUIS — A 16-year-old boy who was found fatally shot in a St. Louis alley last month was robbed and shot by a man who suggested a gun trade, according to charging documents.
Prosecutors charged 25-year-old Dominic Cody with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action. He was arrested Thursday and was being held without bond.
Officers responded on the evening of Aug. 11 to a shooting call in the city's Walnut Park East neighborhood. They arrived to find 16-year-old Marco Deloch shot in the chest in an alley near West Florissant and Thrush avenues.
Deloch was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to court documents, witnesses said Cody approached Deloch in the alley and suggested they trade guns. Deloch then forcefully grabbed one of Deloch's guns and used it to shoot him in the chest. Cody then stole a second gun from Deloch and ran away.
Witnesses later identified Cody in a photo lineup.
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.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.
