ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A man has been charged after police said he shot and killed another man after an argument in Spanish Lake.
John Cowan, 63, has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
The St. Louis County Police Department said officers from the North County Precinct responded at 2:38 p.m. to a shooting in the 1200 block of Congress Avenue. They entered a home and found 51-year-old Michael Mayer inside the kitchen with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both men lived in the 1200 block of Congress Avenue.
According to a probable cause statement, a witness told police Mayer and Cowan had been arguing in the living room. Cowan then grabbed a 12-gauge shotgun, followed Mayer into the kitchen and shot him once in the stomach, police said.
Cowan was arrested at the scene. He is being held on $1 million cash-only bond with no 10% allowed.
Detectives with the department's Crimes Against Persons unit are leading the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators or contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
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/
