ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Division is investigating after a man was found fatally shot inside a vacant apartment on Sunday morning in south St. Louis.
Police said officers responded to a call for help shortly after 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29 regarding a shooting in the 7800 block of Rio Silva Place at an apartment complex along the River Des Peres in the city's Carondelet neighborhood.
The 911 caller told police that their friend had been shot inside a vacant apartment. When officers arrived and entered the apartment, they found a 42-year-old man in the kitchen with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The witness told police she and the victim went to the apartment to sell "dope," according to a probable cause statement. She said the victim went inside the home before she heard two gunshots. Then, a man came out, approached her car, pointed a gun and asked, "Where's the crack?"
According to the witness, the man then went through the car, stealing some change and a gold watch before leaving.
Officers searched the victim's phone and found he had made a phone call and traced the call to the suspect, 42-year-old Edward Jerome Gray., according to the probable cause statement. The witness also picked him out of a photo lineup as the man who pointed a gun in her face.
On Wednesday, Oct. 31, St. Louis prosecutors charged Gray with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the deadly shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. To remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
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 Network of Healing, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
