ST. LOUIS — A resident of the St. Louis' Shaw neighborhood who was shot and killed at his home Friday night is being remembered by neighbors just days after his death.
People who live in the area around Christopher Brennan's home in the 4000 block of Flora Pl. tied green ribbons around light poles and trees over the weekend, a tribute to his Irish heritage.
Police said at about 7:20 p.m., Brennan, 47, was approached by Kyle Stone in the back yard of his home.
After a struggle, Stone shot Brennan several times, including at least once in the head, investigators said. Paramedics pronounced Brennan dead at the scene.
Stone, 20, of the 3200 block of Macklind Ave., was arrested after a "brief foot pursuit," police said, adding that "distinct clothing" that was worn by him at the time of the shooting was also found.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office on Saturday charged Stone with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
According to charging documents, the entire incident was captured on surveillance video. The video and several witnesses led police to Stone within 20 minutes of the shooting.
Javad Khazaeli, a spokesman for Brennan's family, remembered him as a "wonderful husband, father, brother, friend of the whole community."
Social media accounts under Brennan's name show he was married with one child. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 1998 and worked in various IT positions over the past 24 years.
In a written statement, Brennan's family said he "was taken too soon due to a senseless act."
"The breadth and depth of grief shared by so many at the loss of one man speaks volumes to how many lives Chris has touched. We are simply devastated by the loss and our love for Chris is never ending," the family said.
David Aubrey, the president of the Shaw Neighborhood Ownership Model, said safety is at the organizations' forefront.
"Shaw is our neighborhood. This is our home. We are not leaving but we are going to make sure it's as safe as possible," he said.
The organization believes Stone could be connected to other recent crimes in the area, however a search of Missouri's online court records shows no prior criminal history.
At an initial court appearance Monday morning, Stone briefly appeared by video before St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Rex Burlison. The hearing was continued until Wednesday because Stone's public defender knew Brennan. A different public defender will be appointed to represent him.
Another St. Louis Circuit Court judge, Michael Stelzer, denied bond for Stone. He is being held at the City Justice Center in downtown St. Louis.
Brennan was the 68th homicide victim in St. Louis in 2022, according to 5 On Your Side data.
5 On Your Side's Justina Coronel contributed to this report.
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 deescalate violent situations within their own communities.