In the early morning hours of a July day in Saint-Louis, Missouri, the life of 31-year-old Reginald Booker was tragically cut short. On July 10, 2014, in the Baden neighborhood, Booker was found lying in the street in the 8400 block of Lowell, the victim of a fatal shooting that unfolded around 2:40 a.m. Another man, then 26 years old, was also found at the scene, having sustained gunshot wounds to his head, hand, and shoulder. He was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Following a month-long investigation into the shooting, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department identified 33-year-old Billy Rabun of Florissant as the suspected shooter. The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office subsequently issued warrants for his arrest. Rabun was charged with first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with the attack on the surviving victim, as well as first-degree robbery. At the time the charges were announced, law enforcement officials stated that Rabun remained at large.
Court records later revealed the context of the violent encounter. The surviving victim testified at trial that he had arranged to meet with Rabun to sell him a stolen car. During this meeting, Rabun shot him multiple times. The jury found Billy Rabun guilty of first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He was acquitted of the other charges. Taking into account his status as a prior and persistent offender, the court sentenced Rabun to a total of 30 years in prison for his role in the violent events of that July morning. Rabun later appealed his conviction, but the judgment was affirmed.
