On December 2, 2017, violence erupted in the South City area of St. Louis, Missouri, claiming the life of 25-year-old Jacques Combs Jr. and leaving his community in mourning. The shooting occurred during the daylight hours, drawing police to the scene where they discovered two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Jacques, a male known to his friends and family as '3 Joc' or 'Lil Joc,' had been targeted alongside his brother in the attack.
While his brother survived the injuries sustained during the incident, Jacques succumbed to his wounds, marking another tragic loss to gun violence in the city.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a vigil was organized by the community to honor the memory of the young father and student who had attended St. Louis Community College. Friends and relatives gathered to light candles and release balloons, remembering him as a helpful and positive presence who would go out of his way to assist others. The emotional gathering highlighted the deep bond he shared with his sibling and the profound void his death left in the lives of his daughter and extended family.
Investigation into the homicide began immediately, with detectives working to piece together the events that led to the fatal encounter near the intersection of Gustine and Keokuk. Although official police reports in the public domain initially detailed the search for answers without immediately naming a perpetrator, later sentiments shared by family members on memorial platforms indicated that a suspect had eventually been taken into custody. Loved ones expressed a sense of closure, sharing messages that justice was being served with the alleged shooter behind bars, though specific details regarding the trial and conviction were not widely publicized in local media reports.
