ST. LOUIS — A man who escaped custody Tuesday during an investigation into a deadly gas station shooting is no longer considered a person of interest in the killing, police said.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said it was looking for a 19-year-old who was last seen running south through the Peabody Housing Complex with his hands handcuffed behind his back. On Wednesday, police said the man is no longer sought in connection with the killing of 22-year-old Iyaz Ahmed.
He remains wanted for tampering with a motor vehicle and escaping custody.
Police responded to the deadly shooting just before 3:30 a.m. at a BP gas station located at 1104 Hampton Ave. near Forest Park. There, Ahmed was found shot in the head. He was an employee at the gas station.
At the scene, 5 On Your Side saw about a half-dozen evidence markers on the ground, and the front door of the gas station was busted out with shattered glass littering the entryway.
Police said they believe the shooting to be the result of a conflict regarding a car at the scene, saying someone may have tried to break into the car, and the employee came outside the store to stop it. The shooting happened afterward. Police could not confirm if the car belonged to the employee.
Police previously said they were looking for three unknown suspects in connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information on the shooting can call police or contact the department's Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. An anonymous tip can be sent to CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS(8477).