On the evening of Sunday, April 19, 2026, Ronald Milton, a 41-year-old male, was working in his popular food truck, Backyard BBQ, in a parking lot on New Halls Ferry Road in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Known affectionately as "Big Ron," he was a familiar and beloved figure in the community, often dedicating his time and resources to feed those in need, particularly in the aftermath of a tornado the previous year.
He was known for his generosity, his vibrant energy, and a smile that was a constant.
The routine of a busy Sunday evening was shattered at approximately 6:26 p.m. when a vehicle approached the crowd gathered near the food truck. Without warning, an occupant of the car opened fire, spraying bullets into the group of people enjoying the food and the evening. The vehicle then sped away from the scene, leaving chaos and tragedy in its wake. In the immediate aftermath, it was clear that the indiscriminate violence had found its mark.
Ronald Milton was struck by the gunfire, as were two women who were also present at the scene. Emergency services were called, and all three victims were transported to a local hospital. While the two women were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Milton succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased. The loss was felt immediately by his family, including his six children, and the wider community that he had so often supported.
The Ferguson Police Department initially responded to the incident, and due to the nature of the crime, the investigation was handed over to the St. Louis County Police Department's Bureau of Crimes Against Persons. In the days following the shooting, police had not made any arrests and had not released any description of the suspect or the vehicle involved. In response to this senseless act of violence, local business owners and community members came together to offer a $10,000 reward for any information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Ronald Milton's death. The investigation remains ongoing.
