On the night of September 30, 2015, transitioning into the early hours of October 1, a violent altercation took place in the 4400 block of Sexauer Avenue in North St. Louis, Missouri, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Sean Engel. Police officers responded to the scene where they discovered the young man unconscious inside his crashed Mini Cooper.
He had sustained gunshot wounds to his face and side during the incident and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Investigators determined that the victim had been involved in a dispute with an acquaintance, 24-year-old Jamar Mack. According to witness accounts, the two men were arguing when the situation escalated; a gunshot was heard, followed by a physical struggle. Witnesses reported hearing Mack order Engel to 'give it up' before additional shots were fired. In a desperate attempt to escape the confrontation, Engel managed to get into his vehicle and drive away, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after, causing the car to crash.
Law enforcement officers located a wallet containing a large sum of money and blood evidence on the floorboard of the victim's car. Mack attempted to flee from police, discarding a firearm during the pursuit, but was ultimately apprehended. Upon his arrest, officers noted that he matched the description provided by witnesses and had blood on his person. Prosecutors subsequently charged Mack with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action. He was ordered held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.
