In the early hours of May 29, 2018, the vibrant Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis was pierced by an act of violence that claimed the life of a beloved local figure. John Peyton Keene, a 51-year-old man known affectionately to his friends and patrons as Peyton, was discovered shot to death just after midnight. The incident occurred at the intersection of Russell Boulevard and Menard Street, directly in front of the Bastille Bar, a place that was much more than just his employer; it was a
community hub where he had tended bar for 15 years.
Keene was found with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not working at the time of the shooting. News of his sudden and violent death sent shockwaves through the community he had served for so long. Friends, family, and regular patrons of the Bastille Bar remembered him as an incredibly kind and warm-natured individual who had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. He was described as a man who always had a smile and a kind word, a source of advice, humor, and compassion for many. His partner of over 22 years, Mark Rumback, recalled their shared love for pinball, a passion that sparked the beginning of their long relationship.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's homicide division launched an investigation. However, the search for answers proved to be challenging. In the days and weeks that followed, no information on a possible suspect or suspects was released to the public. The motive for the shooting remained elusive, leaving a community to grapple with a senseless loss. A week after his death, friends and family gathered for a memorial that was more of a parade, a testament to the joyful spirit with which Keene had lived his life.
Despite the passage of time, the case of John Peyton Keene's murder remains unresolved. The investigation has yet to lead to an arrest, and his death is now listed among the unsolved homicides in St. Louis. The community continues to remember a man who was a fixture in the Soulard neighborhood, a friend to many, and a victim of a crime that has left a lasting scar on the heart of the city. His family and loved ones are left with unanswered questions and the enduring pain of his absence, holding onto the hope that justice will one day be served for the man they knew and loved.
