Thursday Feel Good Story

Carjacker DRT

ST. LOUIS — A would-be carjacker died after exchanging gunfire Sunday night with a man whose car he attempted to steal in downtown St. Louis, police said.

Demarco Combs, 17, was shot about 9:45 p.m. near 815 Cole Street, north of America’s Center. He died at the scene.

Police said he was armed with a handgun when he tried to rob a 22-year-old man of his car. Police described the victim as “an armed citizen.” The two exchanged gunfire, and Combs was fatally struck.

The motorist suffered a minor shoulder injury, described by police as an abrasion.

Combs lived in the 4700 block of Bates Street.

St. Louis homicide detectives are handling the investigation. The death was not listed Monday among the 123 homicides for the year in St. Louis. The shooting is still under investigation and authorities hadn’t determined if the shooting was justified. Justifiable homicides are not included in the official count.

Last year at this time, there were 99 homicides in St. Louis, St. Louis police officer Michelle Woodling said.

Cole Street is the border of the Downtown and Columbus Square neighborhoods. According to statistics, both neighborhoods have seen an increase in crime this year, compared with the first half of 2019.

Just “an armed citizen” doing his civic duty.

Category: Feel Good Stories