In the quiet community of Florissant, Missouri, 92-year-old Robert Prewett was a cherished figure, known for his gentle nature and daily routines that made him a familiar and welcome presence in his neighborhood. A United States Air Force veteran and a retiree from McDonnell Douglas, he was a man who had lived a long and respected life. His days were often spent outdoors, and on the morning of Wednesday, October 30, 2024, he was diligently using his leaf blower in his front yard on Parc
Charlene Drive. This ordinary autumn chore, however, would be his last.
The tranquility of the late morning was shattered by the sound of gunshots. Around 11:50 a.m., St. Louis County Police officers were called to the scene. There, in the yard he had so carefully tended, they found Robert Prewett, who had sustained three gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, his leaf blower still running nearby, a somber testament to the sudden violence that had ended his life. Neighbors, who described him as a pillar of the community, were left in shock and sorrow, struggling to comprehend how such a tragedy could befall a man so beloved.
The investigation into the senseless killing swiftly commenced. Detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department's Bureau of Crimes Against Persons began to piece together the events of that tragic morning. A breakthrough came from home surveillance footage which captured a suspect, clad in a tan mask, gloves, and jacket, fleeing the scene. The footage then showed the individual discarding these items in a dumpster at a nearby apartment complex. This crucial evidence led investigators to the discarded clothing, where DNA analysis provided a positive match to a suspect.
On Friday, November 8, 2024, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office announced charges against 18-year-old Da'Mon Williams of Florissant. Williams was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the death of Robert Prewett. At the time the charges were filed, Williams was incarcerated in Illinois on other matters. A bond of $500,000, cash only, was set.
