MAPLEWOOD, Mo. — The wanted suspect in a fatal shooting in late October in Maplewood was taken into custody Tuesday after being sought by police for more than a month.
The Maplewood Police Department on Wednesday announced the arrest of 18-year-old Justin Vance, of St. Louis, in connection to the murder of Terron Vales, 32, of Maplewood, on Oct. 26. The department announced on Oct. 30 that the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office issued an at-large warrant for second-degree murder for Vance. He also faces one count each of armed criminal action and tampering with physical evidence.
Editor's note: The video above was originally broadcast on Oct. 30.
The department said officers responded shortly after 5:30 p.m. that Thursday to a shooting in the 2200 block of Yale Avenue near Maplewood's eastern border with St. Louis. Police said officers found Vales with gunshot wounds. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated and conducted the initial homicide investigation.
According to a probable cause statement, Vance and several unnamed co-conspirators met with Vales and demanded $400. When Vales refused, one member of the group "assaulted him with his hands" and a physical struggle began between the two.
Vance then pulled out a pistol and shot Vales in the back, according to the probable cause statement.
Police said the group then ran from the scene and Vance hid the gun used to kill Vales in a nearby garage.
Vales was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Detectives with the Maplewood Police Department found and arrested Vance on Wednesday, Dec. 5. The United States Marshals Service assisted in the arrest.
Vance is currently being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center on a $1 million bond. A bond reduction hearing was scheduled for Dec. 13 and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Jan. 10.
The Major Case Squad also announced in late October that two other minors were being referred to St. Louis County Court for consideration of charges in connection to the shooting. The identities of the minors were not released because of their age.
The killing was Maplewood's second homicide this year. In May, Malachi Brown, 21, was killed while riding a MetroLink train. Last year, Jakobe Bass, 19, was found shot to death in the 2600 block of Bellevue. Before Bass' death, the last homicide was in 2010.
Correction on Oct. 27, 2023: An earlier version of this report misstated the number of homicides in Maplewood in the past several years. There have been three homicides since 2010: one in 2022 and two in 2023.
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.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to de-escalate violent situations within their own communities.