In the early morning hours of November 12, 2024, a trip to a gas station in North St. Louis, Missouri, ended in tragedy for a teenager from St. Louis County. Jamar Hamilton, a 15-year-old White male from the Glasgow Village area, was at a Speedie Gas Station in the Baden neighborhood when violence erupted. The location, situated in the 8800 block of North Broadway, had reportedly been the scene of multiple fatal shootings in the past.
At approximately 1:40 a.m., Jamar was with a group of
people at the gas station when they became involved in a dispute with the occupants of another vehicle. The confrontation escalated, and gunfire was exchanged between the two groups. Jamar was caught in the crossfire and struck by bullets. When officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department arrived in response to the shooting, they found him on the ground with gunshot wounds. Paramedics were called to the scene, but Jamar was pronounced deceased.
The police investigation began immediately. A preliminary inquiry determined that Jamar was with a group of unidentified people who had exchanged gunfire with another party. Homicide detectives worked to identify those involved in the shootout that claimed the young man’s life.
The investigation led to a swift arrest. On the same day as the shooting, a 17-year-old male was taken into custody on an unrelated offense. By November 15, detectives had connected him to Jamar Hamilton’s death. The suspect was publicly identified as Zymarie Atkins, who was 17 at the time of the incident.
Following his arrest in November 2024, Atkins was charged with murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and armed criminal action. In a subsequent development, Atkins, who had since turned 18, was certified to stand trial as an adult. The case is now proceeding through the court system. Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371.
