JENNINGS, Mo. (AP) — A 19-year-old man is charged in the shooting death of a 17-year-old in St. Louis County, the latest of many young victims of gun violence in the region.
Prosecutors on Thursday charged Deryon Thomas with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Caleb Smith. Thomas is jailed on $1 million bond.
Advertisement
A probable cause statement says Thomas and another man chased Smith into an alley Wednesday. Several shots were fired at Smith, who died from an apparent bullet wound to the head.
About two dozen teenagers and children have died in gun-related incidents this year in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson has sent state troopers to help fight the violence.
Advertisement
