Crime
Two Dead, Three Injured after shooting near Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis
A deadly shooting in St. Louis’ Columbus Square neighborhood Sunday night claimed the lives of two individuals and injured three others, marking a grim scene just across from the Dome at America’s Center.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reported that officers responded to the 700 block of Carr Street around 10 p.m.
Upon arrival, they discovered a man who had died at the scene.
A second victim later succumbed to injuries sustained in the shooting, as confirmed in a press conference on Monday by police spokesperson Mitch McCoy.
Three other individuals were struck by gunfire.
One remains in critical condition, while the other two sustained less severe injuries, including one being grazed and another shot in the foot.
The crime scene spanned a large area, with investigators recovering “dozens and dozens” of shell casings, all sent to the department’s crime lab for analysis.
Police believe the violence stemmed from an argument that escalated just before the gunfire erupted.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Division has taken over the investigation, which remains active and ongoing.
One of the two victims has been identified as Damon Lawson, authorities have confirmed.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist in the investigation.
Crime
One Dead, One Injured in Apparent Self-Defense Shooting Outside Cali Rose 15 Kitchen in Lakeland
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, at approximately 9:31 p.m., officers with the Lakeland Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at Cali Rose 15 Kitchen, formerly known as Rush Hour Bar & Grill, located at 1323 Ariana Street in Lakeland.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that two individuals—identified as Jesse Banks, 28, of Lakeland, and Nicholas Lue, 26, of West Palm Beach—had sustained gunshot wounds.
Both men were transported to Lakeland Regional Health for emergency treatment.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Banks was pronounced deceased.
Lue was stabilized and remains hospitalized in recovery.
Preliminary findings from witness interviews and physical evidence at the scene indicate that the incident began as a verbal altercation between Banks, Lue, and another individual, identified as Tre D’Shon Huntly, 24, of Lakeland.
The confrontation occurred just outside the restaurant’s front entrance.
According to investigators, the dispute escalated when Banks physically struck Huntly in the head.
At that moment, a male standing just inside the business opened the front door in defense of Huntly.
Banks and Lue then allegedly turned their aggression toward this second individual, producing a firearm and pointing it at him.
In response, Huntly drew a handgun and discharged several rounds, striking both Banks and Lue.
A handgun was later recovered from Banks at the scene.
Huntly remained at the location and fully cooperated with detectives during the investigation.
Based on the information available, it appears Huntly acted in self-defense.
No criminal charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is urged to contact Detective Neal Robertson at 863-834-6971 or via email at neal.robertson@lakelandgov.net.