In the early afternoon of November 1, 2020, a burst of gunfire shattered the quiet of the 5300 block of Gladstone Place in St. Louis, Missouri, leaving a young man dead and a community in shock. Steven Strong-Patterson, a 24-year-old male, was fatally wounded in the incident. He was sitting in a vehicle with a four-year-old child when an assailant opened fire, striking him multiple times. Despite the prompt arrival of St. Louis County Police, Strong-Patterson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The child, miraculously, was not physically harmed during the attack.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to a suspect. Eric Carless, a 28-year-old man from north St. Louis County, was arrested in connection with the death of Strong-Patterson. Investigators believe that Carless was the individual who fired the shots into the vehicle, ending Strong-Patterson's life. The motive for the shooting has not been publicly released.
Following his arrest, Eric Carless was charged with several felonies, including second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm. It was revealed that Carless had a prior felony conviction in Missouri. A judge set his bond at $1 million, cash-only. The case against Carless is ongoing as the legal process continues. The St. Louis County Police have encouraged anyone with additional information regarding the shooting to come forward to assist in their continuing investigation.
