Crime
Car fatally strikes 39-year-old Shirley Howard pushing stroller in north St. Louis
2-year-old critically injured.
St. Louis, MO – Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred in North St. Louis on Monday, January 20, 2025, as 39-year-old Shirley Howard.
The tragic incident took place at approximately 2:00 p.m. near the intersection of West Florissant Avenue and Arlington Avenue.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, a vehicle driven by a man in his 80s was traveling westbound on West Florissant when it struck Ms. Howard, who was pushing a stroller with a 2-year-old child. Reports indicate that Ms. Howard was walking in the street, possibly near a snowbank, at the time of the collision.
Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene; however, despite their efforts, Ms. Howard was pronounced deceased on-site.
The child sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Medical officials have since reported that the child’s condition has been upgraded to critical but stable.
The St. Louis Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Unit is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have not yet determined whether Ms. Howard was walking in the roadway to avoid icy sidewalks or attempting to cross the street when the collision occurred.
Officials urge anyone with information related to this tragic incident to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
The community is encouraged to keep Ms. Howard’s family and loved ones in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
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.