Crime
36-year-old Emmanuel Suarez Arrested in Kidnapping and Murder of Michelle Hampton, Motive Revealed
Clayton, MO – Authorities have arrested 36-year-old Emmanuel Suarez in connection with the kidnapping and fatal shooting of 37-year-old Michelle Hampton, whose body was discovered in St. Louis City.
The arrest was made Monday afternoon, and Suarez now faces multiple charges approved by the Circuit Attorney’s Office on Tuesday morning, including:
- First-Degree Murder
- First-Degree Robbery (2 counts)
- Attempted First-Degree Robbery
- Kidnapping
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- Armed Criminal Action (5 counts)
The investigation has also uncovered shocking new details about the motive behind the crime, implicating Anjuan Mosby, the boyfriend of Michelle Hampton’s twin sister, Samantha Hampton.
According to federal court documents, Mosby, 43, learned that Michelle Hampton had recently received a $40,000 settlement intended for their brother. Police believe this knowledge prompted Mosby to orchestrate the kidnapping and murder.
Samantha Hampton, who witnessed the kidnapping, revealed in her police interview that Mosby had expressed unusual interest in Michelle’s settlement and that she had recently informed him about the funds. After Michelle’s abduction, Samantha grew suspicious when she couldn’t reach Mosby and feared for her safety upon returning home.
Michelle Hampton was reportedly abducted from her Clayton home at gunpoint. During the ordeal, she was forced to drive to multiple ATMs under threat, with the kidnappers attempting to withdraw money from her accounts.
Court documents indicate that Mosby confessed to playing a direct role in the crime. He admitted to being in the passenger seat of the yellow Dodge Ram used during the abduction and to firing a shot at Samantha’s vehicle when she pursued them. Samantha, who had her children in the car, abandoned the chase after being shot at and felt dismissed when she reported the incident to dispatchers.
Mosby further confessed that after driving to the 4700 block of Greer, he forced Michelle out of the vehicle at gunpoint. He claimed he gave her a chance to run but shot her when she didn’t.
Mosby told police he left his phone at his brother’s house to obscure his location and admitted to conspiring with others to destroy evidence. He stated that an accomplice was tasked with burning the truck, the firearm used in the shooting, and the sweatshirt he wore during the crime.
On Monday, Mosby pleaded not guilty during a federal court appearance, asserting he had planned only to force Michelle to withdraw money before releasing her. Despite his claims, authorities have charged him with a series of grave offenses.
The investigation remains active, with detectives working to identify additional accomplices and follow up on leads. The case has shocked the community, and police urge anyone with further information to come forward. Michelle Hampton’s family continues to grieve the devastating loss, as details of the crime shed light on a calculated betrayal that ended in tragedy.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.