St. Louis murder suspect arrested in Las Vegas after K-9 stabbing

Joey Schneider
·2 min read
2

LAS VEGAS – A St. Louis man on the run in a deadly arson case was arrested over the weekend in Las Vegas, where he allegedly stabbed a police K-9.

Following his arrest, the St. Louis County Prosecuting’s Attorney’s Office has charged Thurman Lowe, 64, with first-degree murder, second-degree arson, armed criminal action and several other felonies.

Las Vegas Nexstar affiliate KLAS reports that Lowe is accused of stabbing a police K9 as officers responded to a situation on March 29. Lowe faces six additional charges out of Clark County, Nevada.

According to Deputy Chief Branden Clarkson of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the department sent in the K-9 as part of a less-than-lethal approach.

“The suspect began stabbing K-9 Enzo multiple times. The SWAT officers continued to use low-lethal munitions and were safely able to take the subject into custody,” Clarkson said.

Before the K9 stabbing, Lowe was accused in the death of Freddie Tribbitt, 46, on Jan. 12, 2024, in the 10500 block of Baron Drive in St. Louis County.

According to a probable cause statement from the St. Louis County Police Department, Lowe was caught on camera outside Tribbitt’s home, threatening to kill him. Lowe allegedly fired several rounds at a door, then kicked it open.

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As he entered the home, Lowe reportedly brought in a flammable item and entered a room. Court documents allege that Lowe left sometime after a smoke alarm went off but before the fire intensified.

According to the aforementioned probable cause statement, Lowe “committed a murder inside arson victim’s residence before trying to burn it down to hide evidence.” Court documents allege he fatally shot Tribbitt while also trying to burn down the home and hide Tribbitt’s body.

Neighbors, including Jerrica Rowan, tell FOX 2 they are relieved law enforcement officers were finally able to track Lowe down.

“That man just ran all the way to Vegas, and for him to go down there and do something very similar to what he did here is good. I’m glad he’s off the streets, and glad they did their due diligence,” Rowan said.

Per court documents, Lowe was on parole after a 30-year sentence he served for rape, robbery, and burglary out of St. Louis County. He was convicted in that case in 1983. Police say, because of his prior conviction, he was banned from possessing firearms.

The St. Louis County Police Department reports that Lowe is jailed on a $3 million cash-only bond.

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