On the afternoon of May 11, 2022, a violent ambush unfolded in the Mark Twain neighborhood of North St. Louis, Missouri, claiming the life of 35-year-old John Crawford. He was traveling as a passenger in a compact SUV along the 5000 block of North Kingshighway at approximately 5:24 p.m. when the vehicle was suddenly targeted. Alongside him in the SUV were a 37-year-old female driver, a 14-year-old girl, and a 3-month-old baby boy.
The attack was coordinated using multiple vehicles to
trap the victims. As the SUV moved through the neighborhood, a car stopped abruptly in front of it, blocking its path and preventing any escape. Moments later, a third vehicle pulled up directly behind the trapped SUV. Occupants from this rear vehicle opened fire on the family's car, unleashing a barrage of bullets into the compact SUV before fleeing the scene.
The gunfire had devastating consequences for those inside. John Crawford sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by authorities. The 37-year-old woman driving the vehicle and the teenage girl were both struck by bullets and transported to a hospital in critical condition. The infant, while not hit directly by gunfire, suffered injuries from the glass that shattered during the shooting and was listed in stable condition.
Homicide detectives from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department took over the investigation, working to piece together the events of the ambush. Police determined that more than one gunman was involved in the attack, given the coordinated nature of the entrapment and the volume of shots fired. At the time of the initial reports, no specific suspects had been taken into custody, and investigators were urging the public to come forward with any information regarding the vehicles or individuals involved in the homicide.
