The life of African American male Vincent Martin Sanders, a 35-year-old resident of St. Louis, Missouri, was tragically cut short on the afternoon of January 6, 2019. Known to his friends and fans by his stage name 'Veeno Gunna,' Sanders was a local rapper, videographer, and graphic designer described by loved ones as a 'teddy bear' who was deeply devoted to his family, including his young son.
On that Sunday, he was present at a gas station near South Broadway and Chippewa Street in the Marine Villa neighborhood when he observed a situation that compelled him to intervene.
According to reports and court documents, Sanders stepped in to defend two young women who were being harassed and stared at by a man outside the convenience store. The women, feeling uncomfortable, had called for assistance, prompting Sanders to arrive at the scene. A verbal confrontation between Sanders and the man, identified as 42-year-old Christopher L. Rainey, quickly escalated into a physical altercation. During the scuffle, Sanders reportedly punched Rainey. In response, Rainey drew a firearm and discharged it. Although Sanders attempted to back away after the initial shots, Rainey followed him and fired again, striking Sanders in the chest.
Emergency responders arrived to find Sanders conscious but critically wounded. He was transported to a local hospital where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries. Following the shooting, Rainey fled the scene on foot to a nearby residence. Investigators from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, working in conjunction with county police, located Rainey’s vehicle and eventually tracked him to a residence on January 17, 2019, where he was taken into custody. A search of his belongings revealed a backpack containing the handgun used in the shooting as well as the clothing he had worn during the incident.
The legal proceedings spanned several years, culminating in October 2024. Christopher L. Rainey, then 48, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. Originally facing more severe charges including second-degree murder, Rainey pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter. The plea deal acknowledged the circumstances of the altercation, and Rainey accepted a sentence of seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for his role in the death of Sanders.
