On a Friday night in Saint Louis, Missouri, tragedy struck 49-year-old Toni Michelle Stroder. It was September 23, 2022, when police responded to a call about a shooting at her residence on Lilac Drive at approximately 10:16 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered two individuals with gunshot wounds. Both Stroder and a male victim were immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Tragically, Stroder succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The male victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and survived the incident.
The investigation into the shooting, led by the St. Louis County Police Department's Crimes Against Persons detectives, soon revealed that the incident was not a random act of violence. It was determined that the shooting stemmed from a dispute between parties who were known to each other. The investigation progressed, and two suspects were identified and subsequently taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting.
Authorities arrested 45-year-old Ramon Lapid on October 4, and 25-year-old DeSean Pearson on October 17. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office filed charges against both men. Lapid was charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action. Pearson faced more extensive charges, including one count of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of stealing a firearm, and one count of first-degree assault. According to police reports, Lapid and Pearson had gone to the victim's home to purchase a 'green leafy substance.' During the encounter, one of the suspects took the victim's firearm and shot Stroder. As they attempted to flee with jars of the substance, the male victim confronted them and was subsequently shot. Both suspects were held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.
