A smoke-shop employee is facing serious charges after a chaotic shootout outside his workplace in north St. Louis left two people dead and several others wounded. Surveillance video and court records reviewed by reporters state the worker fired multiple times at an injured, unarmed man who had already fallen to the ground, and that one victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Luhizo S. Maalin, 26, was booked Sunday on counts of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the gunfight, according to First Alert 4. Prosecutors say Maalin walked out of the Dragon Smoke Shop in the 1400 block of N. 13th Street and shot one of two men who were involved in the shootout, citing court records referenced by the station.
"Two men died and multiple people were injured," First Alert 4 reported after District 4 officers responded to the 1300 block of Cass Avenue around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday. The Carr Square neighborhood has seen several recent fatal shootings, a trend noted in earlier coverage of several recent fatal shootings.
Surveillance Footage And Court Records
According to court records reviewed by reporters, surveillance video shows Maalin stepping outside the store, firing at a wounded man lying on the ground and returning inside the shop three separate times. Officers at the scene later recovered a firearm that investigators say was used in the shooting, and emergency crews pronounced one man dead at the scene.
Charges And Penalties
Maalin faces one count of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action, both of which carry severe penalties under Missouri law. First-degree murder is a Class A felony that can be punished by life in prison or death under RSMo §565.020, detailed by Justia. Armed criminal action is an unclassified felony with mandatory minimum sentences and consecutive-sentencing rules under RSMo §571.015, as outlined by Justia.
The Circuit Attorney's Office will prosecute the case, and homicide detectives continue to investigate. Records reviewed by reporters indicate Maalin remains in custody, and anyone with information has been urged to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Division.
