Both victims identified in fatal South County shooting
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Police are investigating a triple shooting that left two people dead in South County on Feb. 5.
The St. Louis County Police Department announced charges on Feb. 6 against 19-year-old Tyler Coleman and 18-year-old Zachary Hough. Both are charged with two counts of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, and one count of delivery of 35 grams or less of marijuana.
Both are being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond, no 10%. A probable cause statement against them says one of the victims got into a vehicle that Coleman and Hough were in and asked to see a marijuana cartridge they were selling. During the course of the drug deal, the two victims were shot and killed.
On March 29, St. Louis County Police announced a third defendant in the case was facing charges.
Police said on March 21, St. Louis County prosecutors charged 18-year-old Bryce Mers of Fenton with two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree attempted robbery.
The shooting happened around 1:50 p.m. in the 5600 block of Chalet Hill Drive. Police told First Alert 4 that one victim died at the scene, and another died on the way to the hospital. The condition of the third victim has not been released.
“There’s two scenes,” said Captain James Schneider with St. Louis County police. “Again, there’s a shooting at the apartment complex then some individuals used the footpath to gain entrance to the cul-de-sac down here.”
Clarissa Starns said her 15-year-old brother, Collin Courtwright, was among the two victims killed. The second victim has been identified as Tyree Williams, 16, of St. Louis.
“Very tough situation, but we’re all going to pull through, we’re going to be here for each other,” Clarissa said.
Clarissa told First Alert 4 her brother loved his family.
Collin’s father Samuel Starns tells First Alert 4 the shock of it all sent him to the hospital Monday night.
Samuel said the second detectives described the tattoos on the victim, he knew his son was gone.
“We just drove around,” Samuel said. “I couldn’t come back home. I can’t go back in there.”
Samuel said he found out about the shooting from his sister and then family tracked Collin’s location to where the shooting happened.
Samuel described his son as one of a kind with tons of friends.
“Me and him, we were best friends,” Samuel said. “I told him I’m your dad. I’m gonna be there for the rest of your life.”
Witnesses told First Alert 4 they saw a group of men get out of a car and start shooting. Authorities confirmed a car drove off after the shooting, but were not able to provide additional details about the vehicle immediately following the shooting. St. Louis County police said the shooting “does not appear to be random.”
“They haven’t really said anything at this point although they did confirm it was [Collin] and one of his other friends,” said Clarissa.
Neighbor Sam Ramponi said he was shocked something like this happened outside his home.
“It’s a shame because I don’t like to see anybody get hurt,” Ramponi said. “We’re all human, we’re supposed to take care of each other, not try to kill each other. This is sad. It’s really sad and I hate to see that.”
Samuel said just last month Collin was released from juvenile detention and was still on probation for assaulting someone.
Samuel said he was turning his life around.
“He was a totally different person,” Samuel said.
Parts of Chalet Hill and Baumgartner were closed as police investigated. Oakville High School and Oakville Middle School were dismissed with extra supervision due to the shooting, the Mehlville School District said.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the shooting to their department at 636-529-8210 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477.
St. Louis County Police tell First Alert 4 the South County precinct has had three homicides so far in 2024, compared to one in 2023.
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