Teen killed in shooting at car sideshow; suspects in custody
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – An adult and a juvenile are facing charges tied to a shooting at an illegal car show last weekend that killed a teenager and injured four other people.
According to a statement from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, Bridgeton police responded to Highway 141/Earth City Expressway and Corporate Woods Drive around 8:30 p.m. Saturday after receiving word of approximately 100 vehicles recklessly driving on the highway as part of a sideshow (an illegal street event showcasing car stunts).
The Major Case Squad claims that when officers arrived, the vehicles attempted to flee, and several shots were fired at officers.
At least five people were injured, one of whom was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. That individual, Gerardo Perez of East St. Louis, died at the hospital as a result of his injuries. Perez was 15.
Bridgeton police requested that the Major Case Squad assist in the investigation.
Police claim Garron Stevenson and a 17-year-old juvenile were the ones who fired the shots that evening. Both were taken into custody.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Stevenson with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, three counts of first-degree assault, and four counts of armed criminal action. Stevenson remains jailed on a $1 million cash-only bond.
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The 17-year-old is facing a charge of second-degree murder.
In addition, police claim the sideshow relocated that evening to New Halls Ferry Road near Interstate 270. The group shut down a portion of the road. When officers arrived at that new location, they saw a blue 2017 Dodge Charger driving erratically, striking other cars and nearly hitting pedestrians.
Officers attempted to arrest the driver while the vehicle was caught in traffic. However, police claim the driver of the Charger accelerated, struck one officer with the vehicle, and pinned that officer against another car.
The driver attempted to escape in the Charger, then took off on foot. The driver ran into another officer and was eventually taken into custody.
County prosecutors charged Hunter with attempted first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and resisting arrest for a felony. Hunter remains hospitalized. Upon his release, Hunter will be held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.
The weekend’s chaotic events were so large and disorganized that investigators are continuing to sort through everything that happened. It’s unclear if any more charges will be filed related to other illegal activity at the sideshow.
FOX 2 learned police will hold a news conference on Thursday to discuss the investigation. In the meantime, the St. Louis County Police Department is still asking anyone with information on the sideshow to contact them.
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