VELDA CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office issued charges Thursday against a man who was taken into custody after he fatally shot his girlfriend inside her Velda City home the day before.
Robert Murray, 41, of St. Louis faces first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, according to court documents. He was being held Thursday at the St. Louis County Police Department without bond.
According to the St. Louis County Police Department, city of Riverview police officers responded to a call for service just before 7:45 p.m. Wednesday regarding a shooting at a home located in the 7000 block of Lexington Avenue. Responding officers found a woman with an apparent gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
On Thursday, police identified the woman as 36-year-old Nicole Coleman of Velda City.
According to the probable cause statement, the 911 caller, later identified as Murray, said he shot Coleman four times. At the scene, responding officers saw a mop, towel, clothes and dish sprayer that were allegedly used to clean up blood at the crime scene.
The circumstances that led up to the fatal shooting between Murray and Coleman remain unclear.
Velda City police requested the St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons to handle the ongoing investigation.
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.