A second man is now facing murder charges in connection with a deadly robbery in St. Louis' West End neighborhood that left an 18-year-old dead. Prosecutors charged 20-year-old Zahrell Jackson with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of armed criminal action, adding him to a case that already included co-defendant Darius Nelson.
The shooting happened in the 5900 block of Plymouth Avenue, according to STLtoday.com. FOX 2 reports the killing took place around 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, and identifies the victim as Justin Holmes, 18; First Alert 4 also identifies him as Justin Holmes.
According to a probable-cause statement cited by First Alert 4, Jackson and Nelson planned to rob Holmes near Plymouth and Oakley on Sept. 4. FOX 2's reporting adds that the two suspects, listed in that account as 20-year-old Jackson and 19-year-old Darius M.A. Nelson, arranged the robbery in advance through text messages.
How the Robbery Turned Deadly
Police say Nelson grabbed Holmes' bag as he exited a vehicle, and a struggle broke out before Nelson shot and killed him, per the same account from First Alert 4. FOX 2's reporting states that Jackson and/or a third suspect then fired an additional round into the vehicle as Nelson walked away from the scene — a detail that leaves the third person's identity and any charges against them unresolved.
Nelson was previously charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action, the station notes. He pleaded not guilty in court on Oct. 9, and both he and Jackson are currently being held without bond, per First Alert 4.
Jackson's Denial and the Cell Phone Evidence
Jackson has denied being at the scene of the robbery and shooting, but investigators say cell phone data placed him at the crime scene, according to the FOX 2 report. The outlet's account lists Jackson's age as 20, while First Alert 4's reporting lists him as 22 — a discrepancy that remains unresolved across the available coverage.
The case lands against a broader backdrop of declining violence in the city. STLPR reported that St. Louis recorded 63 homicides through the first half of 2026, the lowest total the city had seen in 12 years. Even so, the West End shooting underscores how robberies can turn fatal in a matter of seconds, leaving a family grieving an 18-year-old's death and two defendants facing serious charges.
