ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A man was charged with second-degree murder Sunday, a day after police said he shot and killed a man on a MetroLink train during an argument.
Terry Alexander, a 69-year-old St. Louis man, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Malachi Brown.
The St. Louis County Police Department said the shooting happened shortly after 10 a.m. on a train at the Maplewood-Manchester station.
A man was found with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to an area hospital but later died of his injuries. His name has not been released.
Police said Alexander and Brown were seated across the aisle from each other on a MetroLink train when they got into an argument. Police said Alexander pulled out a gun and shot Brown multiple times.
Polcie said Brown then pulled out his own gun and returned fire. After a struggle, Alexander took Brown's gun.
At the next stop, officers on the train took Alexander into custody. The St. Louis County prosecuting attorney's office charged him Sunday. He is being held on a $200,000, cash-only bond.
Bi-State Development General Manager of Security Kevin Scott said that officers were on another area of the same train when the shooting occurred and quickly arrested the suspect when the train pulled into the station.
A 5 On Your Side crew saw officers leading a man away from the scene in handcuffs.
Trains service was halted in the area for around two hours as police investigated.
"We are disappointed when any incident happens in our city or on our transit system, but we cannot prevent the crime occurring in the region from spilling over on our transit system," Scott said in a statement. "We can promise that rigorous collaboration with our police partners is a high priority and that we will always provide a professional response. We remain committed to our fundamental security approach — partnerships, infrastructure investments, and a gated platform access system."
5 On Your Side spoke with an eyewitness who said, guns were pointed at innocent bystanders inside the train.
"It honestly could've been me. We were sitting right near each other," he said.
A typical Saturday morning on a MetroLink train turned into a terrifying one for some riders.
"Me and the victim, we made eye contact. It's like he knew something wasn't right, and then after that split second— that's when things went left," an eyewitness said.
The eyewitness said a few words were exchanged between the suspect and the victim. Then, the gunshots began.
"The older guy stood up and started letting out shots. I was in a seat directly behind him; that's when I ducked. There were about six or seven shots that were let out," he said.
The eyewitness told 5 On Your Side he was just grateful to be alive.
"Just went into prayer because, like I said, it was unfortunate that it happened, but, in this case, it could've been more victims," he said.
Like many, Monte Hall relies on the transit system, he said.
"It's what I use for my transportation; that and my skateboard," he said.
Hall said it made him hesitant and angry when he heard someone lost their life while using this necessity.
"It's a big world out here. A lot of people out here. You can experience a lot and do a lot; you don't got to kill nobody," he said.
While police stayed around the station hours after the shooting, many, like Hall, were ready for the violence to stop.
"Y'all need to be good Americans and start doing the right thing," he said.
Detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department are leading a homicide investigation. Anyone with information should call the department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS(8477).
Brown's co-workers started a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral costs.
Full statement from Metro Transit:
"St. Louis County Police are handling an incident that started as an argument and ended with a shooting on a MetroLink train at the Maplewood-Manchester Station this morning. Specific questions should be directed to our St. Louis County Police partners. Officers were on another area of the same train when the shooting occurred, and immediately arrested the suspect when the train pulled into the station. The swift actions of our St. Louis County Police partners, who are assigned to the MetroLink Police Task Force, are to be commended and no doubt prevented further injuries from occurring on the train or platform.
"We are steadfastly committed to improving safety and security our transit system and are diligently moving forward with the Secure Platform Plan. While heat of the moment incidents like this one are impossible to predict, new high security gates to access the platform, new fencing and other improvements like the surveillance camera monitoring capabilities from the Real Time Camera Center, will help make the transit system safer for our customers, our police and security partners, and our team members.
"We are disappointed when any incident happens in our city or on our transit system, but we cannot prevent the crime occurring in the region from spilling over on our transit system.
"We can promise that rigorous collaboration with our police partners is a high priority and that we will always provide a professional response. We remain committed to our fundamental security approach — partnerships, infrastructure investments, and a gated platform access system."
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.