ST. LOUIS, MO – A robbery attempt has led to the death of one of the assailants and serious charges for another. In the Dutchtown neighborhood, a group of four teenagers set out to rob a man in his 30s. However, their intended target was armed and a shootout ensued.
Fox 2 Now reported that, during the exchange of gunfire, a 17-year-old assailant was fatally shot in the head. The man they attempted to rob was also injured in the incident and required hospitalization. In the aftermath, the police apprehended the surviving teens involved in the attempted robbery.
A 17-year-old participant, now faces grave legal consequences. The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office has charged him with second-degree murder, first-degree attempted robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action. Highlighting the severity of his alleged actions, he has been certified to stand trial as an adult and is being held without bond.
The decision to charge him with second-degree murder follows a principle in criminal law where participants in a felony that leads to death can be held liable for murder, even if they did not directly cause the death themselves. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers and potential legal repercussions of engaging in criminal activity.
As for the other teens involved, their legal fate remains uncertain, with decisions pending on whether they will face trial as adults or be processed through the juvenile court system.