Darrin Hayes II, a 25-year-old African American male, was tragically shot to death on February 10, 2014, in Belleville, Illinois. The incident occurred inside his apartment on Gateway Industrial Drive. Hayes was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the hospital. At the time of the shooting, Hayes was with his two young children, a 2-year-old daughter and a 2-month-old son.
The investigation into Hayes' death led to the arrest of four individuals. Anthony Pierre Allen, a 22-year-old male, Amanda Marie Kent, a 26-year-old female, and Thomas D. Flakes, a 19-year-old male, were charged with first-degree murder. Brittney Y. Moore, a 24-year-old female, was charged with obstructing justice. The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, conducted the investigation.
The suspects were apprehended following a thorough investigation that included witness statements and forensic evidence. The charges against Allen, Kent, and Flakes were severe, with bonds set at $1,000,000 for Allen and Kent, and $500,000 for Flakes. Moore's bond was set at $250,000. The case garnered significant media attention, and a press conference was held by Major Case Squad Deputy Commander Lt. Mike Hundelt to detail the arrests and charges.
The murder of Darrin Hayes II was a devastating event for his family and the community. His wife, Laura Hayes, expressed her grief and disbelief, stating that her husband did not deserve such a fate. The legal proceedings against the suspects were closely followed, and the case remains a somber reminder of the impact of violent crime on families and communities.
