In the summer of 2020, a violent outburst in the Walnut Park West neighborhood of St. Louis claimed the life of 18-year-old Elijah McKinney. On the afternoon of July 29th, the sound of 'nonstop' gunfire echoed near the intersection of Floy Avenue and West Florissant Avenue. When the chaos subsided, five people were found with gunshot wounds. McKinney, along with 22-year-old Malik Taylor and 18-year-old Daijon Nearing, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two others, a 17-year-old boy and a 37-year-old man, were wounded but survived.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Division determined that the shooting was the result of a violent dispute between two rival groups. In the course of their investigation, a firearm was recovered from the scene. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence and gang-related activities in the area. Residents expressed a growing sense of fear, noting a significant increase in violence in the neighborhood over the preceding decade. In response to the tragedy and the community's outcry, the Urban League announced an anti-crime initiative aimed at improving safety in Walnut Park West.
A break in the case came when a 17-year-old named Joshua Amerson was arrested in connection with the deadly shooting. He faced a litany of serious charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and armed criminal action. However, the path to justice proved to be complex. In July 2022, prosecutors dismissed the charges against Amerson, a move that was reportedly due to a lack of witness cooperation. This legal maneuver, known as a nolle prosequi, allowed for the possibility of refiling the charges at a later date.
Despite the initial charges, Amerson did not remain in custody for the triple homicide. However, his freedom was short-lived. He was later arrested on unrelated drug trafficking charges. This new development added another layer to the tragic story, leaving the families of Elijah McKinney, Malik Taylor, and Daijon Nearing still waiting for a resolution in the killing of their loved ones.
