In the late hours of a Monday evening in St. Louis, what began as a purported drug transaction tragically ended in the senseless death of Monica Shaw. The 54-year-old woman was near the intersection of North Sarah and Olive streets in the Central West End on September 12, 2016, when she was approached by several individuals. Around 11 p.m., in an act of violence that would later be described by authorities as a robbery attempt, Shaw was shot in the chest.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but the single gunshot wound proved to be fatal, and she succumbed to her injuries.
The subsequent investigation into Monica Shaw's murder led to the apprehension of four young men from O'Fallon, Missouri. Authorities alleged that the group had traveled to the Central West End with the intention of selling marijuana. According to charging documents, 20-year-old Ronald Harris had instructed his companions to approach people to sell the drugs. Xavier Perkins and Jermaine Stabler, also 20, reportedly walked up to Shaw. It was Perkins who was armed and, according to a juvenile witness in the car, pointed the gun at Shaw and demanded her property. When she refused to comply, Perkins allegedly shot her.
In the days following the fatal shooting, law enforcement officials announced a series of arrests and charges. Xavier Perkins faced the most severe charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and first-degree robbery, and was held without bond. Ronald Harris and Jermaine Stabler were both charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and marijuana distribution. Their bonds were set at $1 million cash-only. An 18-year-old, Damonte Dixon, was the fourth individual charged in connection with the crime, facing charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, also with a $1 million cash-only bond.
