On the morning of August 19, 2020, a violent incident unfolded in the Gravois Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. Around 1:31 a.m., a shooting occurred that would later draw police attention to the 2700 block of Miami Street. It was not until hours later, at approximately 5:50 a.m., that law enforcement officers responded to a call regarding a supposed sudden death at the location.
upon arrival, they discovered the body of 19-year-old male Richard Hodges lying in a yard, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, marking a tragic end to the teenager's life.
Homicide detectives launched an investigation into the fatal shooting, scouring the area for evidence. A breakthrough came when authorities obtained video surveillance footage that captured the incident, allowing them to piece together the events that led to Hodges' death. This digital evidence played a crucial role in identifying a suspect believed to be responsible for the slaying.
Following the investigation, police focused their efforts on 20-year-old Marqueze Murray. On September 9, 2020, prosecutors announced that Murray had been taken into custody. The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged him with one count of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action in connection with the death of Richard Hodges. Authorities revealed that Murray was arrested for the shooting that had occurred weeks prior, bringing the initial phase of the legal process to a close as the case moved toward the courts.
