In the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis, on December 9, 2019, a burst of violence cut short the life of 27-year-old Donte Parker, a Black / African American male. Just before 1 p.m., St. Louis police were called to the 3000 block of Osage Street following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Parker suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The investigation into Parker's death led authorities to Darnell Rusan, who was 32 years old at the time. Evidence gathered by the police included surveillance footage from a residence on Osage Street that showed both Rusan and Parker near the location of the shooting. According to a probable cause statement, Rusan used a revolver to shoot Parker multiple times, striking him in the legs, buttocks, and back.
Nearly a year after the fatal shooting, an arrest was made in the case. In December 2020, Darnell Rusan was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with Donte Parker's death. During an interview with police, Rusan admitted to shooting Parker.
