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
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.