In the quiet of a north St. Louis evening, tragedy befell a young man, forever altering the lives of his loved ones. On a Friday night in March 2014, 21-year-old Demarco Bastain was in the 4900 block of Cote Brilliante when his life was cut short. At approximately 9:45 p.m., the sound of gunfire shattered the night, and when police arrived, they found Demarco suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The initial investigation into the shooting left authorities with few leads. Homicide detectives were called to canvass the area and piece together the events that led to the fatal encounter. However, in the immediate aftermath, there was no information released about a potential motive or any individuals who may have been involved. The investigation was described as ongoing, with police having no suspects in custody.
The profound loss was deeply felt by Demarco's family. His uncle, Larry Bastain, who considered Demarco more like a son than a nephew, was consumed by grief. In the face of such a devastating act of violence, the thought of revenge was a fleeting temptation. Ultimately, he chose a different path, one of peace and positive example. He decided to channel his pain into a personal crusade against the very violence that claimed his nephew's life by jogging through some of the city's most dangerous streets, hoping to inspire change and confidence in his community. Despite the passage of time, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the murder of Demarco Bastain.
