ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Charges were issued Friday night against a man accused of fatally shooting another man inside a north St. Louis County barbershop earlier in the day.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Nolan-Ryan Thomas, 31, of St. Louis, with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The victim, named by police Saturday morning, was 35-year-old Florissant resident Justin Welch.
St. Louis County police officers responded shortly before 11:15 a.m. to the E-Clazz Salon in the 11600 block of West Florissant Avenue for a call for a shooting.
According to the probable cause statement, the victim went to the barbershop to get a haircut. Thomas also walked inside the shop, and the two began to argue.
The victim stood up, and Thomas punched him in the face and shot him, police said. Another person inside the shop saw the entire incident.
Thomas left the shop and was taken into custody a short time later. A weapon was located nearby, police said.
The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police have not released the victim's identity as of Friday night.
Thomas is being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center on a $500,000 cash-only bond.
Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons are leading this investigation.