ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A teenager from Vinita Park is charged as an adult for his role in a vehicle shooting last summer in Overland.
According to the Overland Police Department, the shooting happened just before 5:45 a.m. on July 7 at Page Avenue and Interstate 70.
Police said Shawn Duckworth and another juvenile were driving a stolen 2017 Nissan Altima when they pulled alongside another vehicle at the stoplight. Duckworth and his cohort began harassing the female driver of the other vehicle. That other juvenile took out a gun and fired two shots at the female. Fortunately, the bullets only struck her car.
The victim sped off, but Duckworth followed her to the nearby Overland Plaza parking lot, police said. Duckworth rammed the victim’s vehicle and the other juvenile shot at the victim again.
The stolen Altima was damaged and sustained a flat tire, which allowed the victim time to escape and contact police.
Police said Duckworth and his accomplice were spotted on surveillance at a nearby QuikTrip, putting air in their flat tire.
When police attempted to stop the juveniles, they fled in the Altima. Police pursued the stolen vehicle to the 3900 block of Canterbury Drive in Pasadena Hills, where the juveniles ditched the car. The second suspect was arrested following a foot chase. Duckworth returned to the scene and surrendered.
Police said Duckworth told his cohort, “[police] will never find the gun.” The probable cause statement does not indicate if police found the weapon.
During a conversation with investigators on April 16, Duckworth allegedly admitted chasing the victim and ramming her car.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Duckworth with three counts of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree tampering with a vehicle, and resisting arrest. Duckworth was jailed on a $200,000 cash-only bond.