ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A St. Louis County man on Monday admitted to shooting an acquaintance to death and stealing from him back in February 2023, according to a release from the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Terry Winebarger, 52, pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime resulting in death and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the release. He was initially charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the deadly shooting.
The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated on Feb. 19, 2023, when 43-year-old John Stevens was found fatally shot in a home in the 7800 block of Utica Drive in Hanley Hills.
Winebarger had been picked up in Overland by Stevens and his roommate on the evening of Feb. 18, 2023. Later that evening, Winebarger admitted he shot Stevens, who was asleep, in the head with his own handgun before stealing the gun, jewelry and methamphetamine from him.
Winebarger is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 30, 2024.
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.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.
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