ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A 31-year-old man is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing his girlfriend early Tuesday morning in north St. Louis as she entered a rideshare vehicle. Authorities say the violent attack, which police believe stemmed from a domestic dispute, has left the community shaken.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were alerted around 2:25 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, after a woman suffering from a gunshot wound was dropped off at a nearby hospital. Despite immediate medical efforts, the victim was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Investigators later determined that the shooting occurred near North Broadway and East Clarence Avenue in the city’s Sixth District.
Police identified the victim as 29-year-old Trinity Staten, who had just entered a rideshare vehicle when gunfire erupted moments later. The rideshare driver, who was unharmed, quickly sped away from the scene and drove Staten to the hospital in a desperate attempt to save her life. Detectives later confirmed that Staten’s boyfriend, Jeremie Northcross, 31, was the suspected shooter.
Following an intensive investigation, Northcross was arrested and charged by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office with First-Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action. Authorities believe the attack was targeted and domestic-related, though they have not yet disclosed the motive or the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Police continue to gather evidence, including surveillance footage from nearby businesses and interviews with potential witnesses.
The case is being investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Division, which has urged anyone with additional information to contact detectives at 314-444-5371. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477). Officials noted that only tips leading to a felony arrest are eligible for a cash reward through the program.
Tuesday’s killing marks yet another instance of deadly domestic violence in the St. Louis area this year. Police officials emphasized the importance of seeking help in volatile or abusive relationships before they escalate. “No one should ever feel unsafe at home or in their relationships,” one spokesperson said. “We urge anyone in danger to reach out for help immediately.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for confidential assistance.