Following a fatal shooting on Christmas day, St. Louis police have made an arrest in the case of 68-year-old Albert Willis who was found with gunshot wounds on the 4300 block of S. Kingshighway. Coming after an initial call for help, officers discovered Willis and transported him to the hospital, where he later died. The investigation quickly escalated to a murder inquiry, with homicide detectives taking charge.
An update on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of a 26-year-old male suspect who now faces multiple charges, including Murder 1st, according to SLMPD's official report. Originally believed to be connected to the incident, a woman was eliminated from the suspect list during the course of the probe, though details on her involvement were sparse. The Circuit Attorney’s Office ruled her out as a suspect and has since focused their attention on the man in custody.
The police initially sought public assistance in identifying two individuals linked to the case, with descriptions issued for both a female and a male suspect. According to the SLMPD website, the male suspect was described as "a black male, 30-35 years old, thin build, 5’6” to 5’8”, dark complexion, with a "twisties" short to medium length hairstyle."
Further details regarding the circumstances of the criminal act and the timeline of events following the initial dispatch call remain under review by officials. The public has been urged by the Homicide Division to come forward with any information that might aid the ongoing investigation. Interested informants who wish to stay anonymous could potentially reap a cash reward from CrimeStoppers for tips leading to a felony arrest, which is evidenced by the multiple appeals seen on their website.
As the case continues to unfold, the SLMPD maintains an open line for insights at 314-444-5371, while CrimeStoppers can be reached at 866-371-TIPS (8477). The compiled evidence and the pursuit of justice for Albert Willis persist as central objectives for the involved law enforcement agencies and the community at large.
