ST. LOUIS — An arrest has been made after a fatal triple shooting broke out on the St. Louis riverfront, where more than 100 people were gathered.
Brandon Howard, 31, of St. Louis was charged Thursday with one count each of first-degree murder and first-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting happened shortly after midnight Wednesday on the 600 block of S. Leonor K Sullivan Boulevard. A large group of people was gathered on the cobblestone parking area along the Mississippi River, near the Gateway Arch grounds.
Officers responding to the shooting reported seeing more than 100 cars leaving the area. Fred Moore, 28, was found shot to death inside a car.
According to a probable cause statement, the shooting was captured on Real-Time Crime Center's high-definition surveillance video.
The video showed a large group of cars parked along the riverfront. Howard was milling around his car, changing a car tire and then eventually getting in another person's passenger seat. He then got out and pulled on a blue ski mask, according to the probable cause statement.
Minutes later, bystanders scattered as something happened out of frame. Moore's car was seen speeding into frame and crashing into parked cars and a light pole. Howard was then seen "skipping" toward Moore's car while shooting at it, according to a probable cause statement.
Moore's passenger, a "clearly unarmed" 28-year-old man, got out and tried to run away. Howard chased him while raising his arm toward him, the statement said. The man was shot in the abdomen.
Howard then returned to the passenger side of Moore's car while aiming inside, and another person walked up to the driver's side and fired a single shot inside. The people surrounding Moore's car then drove off in different cars.
Moore had several gunshot wounds to both sides of his torso and a gunshot wound to his head.
The passenger was taken to an area hospital, as well as a 37-year-old woman who was also shot in the abdomen. They were both in critical condition, but stable on Wednesday. Police have not provided an update on their conditions.
On Friday, St. Louis police called the shooting the latest in a series of incidents at the riverfront and announced changes at the location. Starting Friday, Leonor K Sullivan will be secured by the existing gates after 7 p.m. and no cars will be allowed after 7 p.m. The south end will remain open during daytime hours, and riverboat activities will be accommodated.
Police are also pursuing charges against Howard for a separate fatal shooting in June 2021. Charges have not been officially filed in that case.
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/