BERKELEY, Mo. — A 48-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday after getting into an altercation with a suspect who tried to rob him in Berkeley.
Police on Tuesday said that charges were filed against Tyree Fletcher, 18, who is accused of driving an unidentified suspect away from the scene of the shooting. Fletcher is facing charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, robbery and resisting arrest.
According to investigators, surveillance video captured Fletcher and an unidentified passenger getting out of a Chevrolet Malibu at around 3 p.m. Saturday and approaching Christopher Gall, 48, of Maryland Heights, who was sitting outside of a BP gas station in the 4400 block of North Hanley Road.
Fletcher would later tell police that Gall had asked if they wanted to buy marijuana.
Fletcher and the passenger got back into the vehicle and surveillance showed them drive around to the back of the gas station. In the video, the passenger was shown walking around the side of the station where Gall was sitting.
The suspect stole Gall's backpack. The victim and the suspect then got into a fight, and the suspect shot him in the chest.
The video showed the unidentified suspect running back to the Malibu and Fletcher driving away, police said.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he later died from his injuries, a release from the St. Louis County Police Department said.
Around 9:15 p.m., police tried to pull over the car near Jennings Station Road and Garesche Avenue but the driver fled down eastbound Interstate 70.
Fletcher was arrested on Sunday during a traffic stop in St. Louis. Police said he admitted to driving the vehicle away from the gas station and to fleeing from police while the shooter was in his car. He also admitted to going through Gall's backpack and finding marijuana.
Fletcher is being held on a $250,000 cash bond.
Berkeley Police asked St. Louis County police to handle the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. To leave an anonymous tip, call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
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.
To learn more, call 314-381-8200 or visit https://www.betterfamilylife.org/
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.”
To learn more, call 314-327-6697 or email: ProjectLOV@WUSTL.edu
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with Saint Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
To learn more, visit https://www.ulstl.com/anti-crime-initiative.html
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. To learn more, visit https://cvg.org/
