A handyman remembered for his big heart and willingness to help others was tragically killed in a north St. Louis home, one of three victims in a violent rampage. James Rodriguez, a 58-year-old male from Kinloch, Missouri, was found deceased in the basement of a residence on Wells Avenue. Known as 'Mr. FixIt,' Rodriguez was a self-employed handyman who often did affordable home remodeling jobs for those in need.
He was a father of three and was described by his family as a family man and a good friend to many.
On the morning of May 9, 2025, police responded to a ShotSpotter alert and discovered the body of 57-year-old Tyrone Mason on the front porch of the home. While investigating, officers were confronted by 61-year-old James Carter, a convicted felon who resided at the house. After a brief conversation, Carter went back inside, only to emerge moments later with a rifle, opening fire on a St. Louis police officer and an ATF special agent. The officers returned fire, fatally wounding Carter.
Upon searching the home, authorities made a grim discovery. In addition to Rodriguez in the basement, they found 34-year-old Ariel Eastling shot in the living room. Rodriguez had last been heard from when he went to do work at the Wells Avenue home, and his toolbox was found inside. His daughter expressed the family's profound grief and the torment of not knowing the specifics of what happened to him.
The motive for the killings remains under investigation by the St. Louis police. The suspect, James Carter, was killed at the scene, and is believed to be responsible for the deaths of Rodriguez, Mason, and Eastling. Rodriguez's family, left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss, started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses, as he did not have insurance at the time of his death.
