ST. LOUIS — The man accused of fatally shooting a Shaw neighborhood resident in the victim’s own backyard was found mentally unfit to stand trial.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office charged Kyle Stone in 2022 with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Three more felony charges were later added, related to car thefts police said he committed in the days leading up to the murder.
In a Thursday court order, Stone was found "incompetent to proceed" with a trial and remanded to the care of the Missouri Department of Mental Health to undergo a competency evaluation.
Police said Christopher Brennan, 47, was in his backyard on the evening of May 20, 2022, when Stone approached him.
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 have said they do not believe Stone knew Brennan.
Stone was also charged with three counts of stealing stemming from two car thefts, one of which happened the day before Brennan's killing.
Police said on May 17, Stone stole a black 2011 GMC Yukon, which was hauling a trailer carrying work tools. While Stone was driving away in the Yukon, the victim tried to run after his vehicle and made it to the passenger front door. He reached through the open window trying to gain control of his vehicle but couldn’t, according to court documents.
Police found the keys to the Yukon and the victim’s business card holder inside Stone’s bookbag when he was arrested for Brennan’s murder.
On May 19, 2022 – the day before Brennan’s murder – police said Stone stole a gray 2012 Buick Lacrosse while it was parked at the BP gas station at 3182 Grand Blvd., according to court documents.
Stone sped away before police arrived.
On June 13, Stone told police he took the Lacrosse because it was running, according to the documents.
