In the late hours of an April evening in 2017, a journey on a MetroLink train in St. Louis, Missouri, turned fatal for 22-year-old Jesse Boone. As the train neared the University of Missouri-St. Louis station, a heated argument erupted between Boone and another passenger. The verbal dispute quickly escalated into a physical altercation at the rear of the train.
The other passenger, identified as 18-year-old Djion Oates, drew a firearm and shot Boone.
The single gunshot proved fatal, and Jesse Boone was pronounced dead at the scene around 11:15 p.m. Oates fled the train but was swiftly apprehended by St. Louis County police officers who were assigned to the transit system. A firearm was recovered at the time of his arrest.
Authorities charged Djion Oates with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm. It was later revealed that Oates was on probation for a 2014 robbery at the time of the shooting. During legal proceedings, Oates's defense claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging that Boone had attempted to rob him.
Ultimately, Oates entered into a plea deal, admitting to a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter, as well as armed criminal action and unlawful gun possession. In November 2018, a judge sentenced Djion Oates to seven years in prison for his role in the death of Jesse Boone.
