Melvin L. Hayes, a 39-year-old African American male from St. Louis, was found dead on September 6, 2014, behind an abandoned home in Alton, Illinois. His death was the result of a shooting, and the incident was classified as a homicide. The investigation revealed that Hayes was shot and killed during the course of an armed robbery.
Authorities in Madison County charged two suspects in connection with Hayes' murder. The first suspect, Antione D. Parker, a 33-year-old African American male from Belleville, Illinois, was arrested on September 9, 2014. Parker was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of armed robbery, and one count of armed violence. Although Parker was not the gunman, he was charged based on accountability for his role in the crime.
The second suspect, Bruce D. Bradley, a 38-year-old African American male from Fairview Heights, Illinois, was charged on September 18, 2014. Bradley faced three counts of first-degree murder, one count of armed robbery, armed violence, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Authorities continued to search for Bradley following the charges.
The case against Parker proceeded with him pleading not guilty and remaining in jail on a $1 million bond. The investigation into Hayes' death highlighted the violent nature of the crime and the involvement of multiple individuals in the armed robbery that led to his tragic demise.
