UPDATE: A 40-year-old man was taken into custody in Poplar Bluff, MO for this incident after evading law enforcement officers for more than a month. He has been charged with two counts of Murder 1st Degree, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, one count of Arson 1st Degree, and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
UPDATE: The 45-year-old female succumbed to her injuries on December 22, 2025. She is identified as Latasha Brown of St. Louis City.
UPDATE: The 9-year-old girl later died at the hospital on December 21, 2025. She has been identified as Paige Buckner of St. Louis City.
UPDATE: The victims are a 45-year-old female and 9-year-old female.
Homicide Detectives are investigating after a woman and child were found shot inside a burning home on December 21, 2025 in Walnut Park West.
Around 12:10 a.m., officers received a call to respond to a house fire in the 5700 block of Floy. Upon arrival, officers were advised that the woman and child were discovered shot inside the home after Fire Department officials extinguished the fire. The SLMPD Bomb & Arson Unit were requested to the scene.
EMS responded and transported the woman and child to the hospital where they were listed in critical and unstable condition. Detectives are working to find out the cause and circumstances of this incident.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. Anyone with a tip who wants to remain anonymous and is interested in a possible cash reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477). Only tips submitted to CrimeStoppers that lead to a felony arrest are eligible for CrimeStoppers’ rewards.
