On September 11, 2025, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office issued charges in the 2019 homicide of 7-year-old Xavier Usanga in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
On August 12, 2019, Usanga was shot while outside of his home with his siblings in the 3500 block of N. 14th Street. He was transported to a hospital where he died.
29-year-old Malik Ross, who is currently serving a 10-year federal sentence for embezzlement in connection to the shooting, has been charged with Murder 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child 1st Degree by the Circuit Attorney’s Office.