Kieloah J. Phonixe, a 32-year-old male, was fatally shot on the evening of Thursday, January 26, 2017. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. in the 4100 block of North Newstead Avenue, situated in the Penrose neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. Responding to a call for a shooting, police discovered Phonixe inside a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting quickly centered on Phonixe's girlfriend, Shalana T. Queen. According to charging documents, the couple had been engaged in a heated argument that escalated throughout the day. The dispute reportedly began over a text message Queen had received, which angered Phonixe. Later, while the two were driving in Phonixe's car, the conflict intensified, leading to a physical altercation.
During the struggle inside the vehicle, a handgun was produced. It was in the midst of this close-quarters confrontation that the weapon discharged, striking Phonixe. Following the shooting, Queen, who was 31 years old at the time, was taken into custody by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. She was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the death of her boyfriend.
