Carl Netter, a 56-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on July 15, 2020, during a neighborhood barbecue at the Biker's Corner Cocktail Lounge and Restaurant in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood of Saint Louis, Missouri. Friends and family were gathered when the tragic events unfolded, shattering the community gathering.
A man from Memphis, 51-year-old Kennice Brock, arrived at the barbecue and was reportedly asked multiple times to put away a gun he was carrying.
Despite these requests to de-escalate the situation, Brock shot Carl Netter. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video, which would later prove to be a critical piece of evidence in the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
Following the shooting, Kennice Brock was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The case went to trial, where Brock’s defense argued that he had acted in self-defense. However, the clear footage from the surveillance video contradicted this claim and played a significant role in the jury's decision. In June 2023, a St. Louis jury convicted Brock on both charges.
In July 2023, Kennice Brock was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Carl Netter. The conviction marked the first murder conviction for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office under the leadership of Gabe Gore. During the sentencing, Carl Netter’s family spoke of their profound loss. His sister described him as someone who was always there for his family, a sentiment that underscored the deep impact of his violent and untimely death. Brock has indicated that he plans to appeal the conviction.
