On August 27, 2015, 23-year-old White male James Colford 'Cole' Gould was fatally shot during a robbery incident in St. Louis, Missouri. The confrontation occurred around 1:00 a.m. in the 3600 block of Marine Avenue, near South Broadway. Gould, a resident of Creve Coeur, had reportedly traveled to the area with the intention of purchasing narcotics when he was approached by two individuals who attempted to rob him.
During the ensuing struggle, he sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head, chest, legs, and other areas of his body.
When law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the victim lying conscious in a parking lot. Despite his critical injuries, he was able to communicate with first responders, informing them that he had been robbed and shot by two men. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for emergency treatment but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by the gunshot wounds inflicted during the interaction.
Police subsequently released descriptions of the suspects involved in the slaying, identifying them as two Black males. Investigators provided specific details for one of the individuals, describing him as approximately 21 years old, standing about 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighing around 150 pounds. At the time of the crime, this suspect was seen wearing dark-colored pants, a black zippered jacket featuring stripes, and carrying a dark backpack. The second suspect was not described in detail beyond his gender and race.
Despite the descriptions and the initial statement provided by the victim, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder. The investigation eventually went cold, prompting Gould's family to seek public assistance in identifying the killers. In an effort to generate new leads, the family added $50,000 to the existing CrimeStoppers reward, offering a significant financial incentive for information leading to the arrest and filing of charges against the persons responsible. As of the last available updates, the case remains unsolved.
