On September 25, 2018, police in Saint Louis, Missouri, responded to a shooting in the 5200 block of Emerson Avenue in the North City area. Officers arrived at the scene around 12:30 p.m. to find 60-year-old William Kirkwood suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The investigation revealed that the incident stemmed from a dispute between Kirkwood and an acquaintance, 51-year-old David Allen Sproling.
Police reported that Sproling had accused Kirkwood of stealing tools from his property. The confrontation escalated when Sproling allegedly held Kirkwood at gunpoint in an attempt to recover the items. Investigators stated that when Kirkwood managed to pry himself loose and attempted to flee the scene, Sproling opened fire, striking the unarmed man multiple times.
Following the shooting, David Sproling reported the incident to authorities and surrendered the pistol used in the encounter. He was taken into custody and subsequently charged by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office with involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action.
