On June 30, 2019, a violent series of events began in the Patch neighborhood of Saint Louis, Missouri, when police were called to a residence in the 200 block of Upton Street. Inside the home, officers discovered the body of Brian Culton, who had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. The investigation revealed that the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m., during which the intruder robbed the victim of $100 before shooting him.
Emergency medical services arrived at the scene, but he was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival, marking the beginning of a cross-state crime spree that would claim another life just hours later.
Neighbors and friends remembered the 65-year-old male victim as a kind and generous individual who had overcome significant personal struggles. A veteran who had previously experienced homelessness, he was known in his community for his positive attitude and willingness to help others. One neighbor recounted how he had once loaned him materials to fix a broken window, only for him to return months later to repay the kindness after getting back on his feet and renting his own apartment. His senseless death over such a small sum of money left those who knew him shocked and grieving for a man who had worked hard to rebuild his life.
The violence did not end at the Upton Street residence. Approximately three hours after the murder, the perpetrator, identified as Timothy Stokes, traveled to East Saint Louis, Illinois. There, he engaged in an argument with 24-year-old Michelle Williams on State Street and fatally shot her as well. Later that day, Illinois State Police troopers encountered Stokes walking along Interstate 255 near Interstate 64 while investigating the second homicide. When officers approached him, Stokes fired shots at their vehicle and fled into a nearby wooded area. He was subsequently located and apprehended in a vacant building in East Saint Louis.
Decades of incarceration awaited the assailant as the legal process moved forward. In September 2024, Timothy Stokes, then 56, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the murder of Brian Culton. He had already been convicted in 2023 for the murder of Michelle Williams, for which he received a sentence of life without parole plus an additional 20 years for shooting at law enforcement. Following his guilty plea for the Saint Louis killing, Stokes was sentenced to a concurrent life term, ensuring he would remain in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections for the remainder of his life. Prosecutors described the acts as cold-hearted killings by a dangerous felon for which there was no defense.
