ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A 46-year-old man appeared in St. Louis County Circuit Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty for his role in a fireworks manufacturing explosion that claimed the lives of four people.

The explosion happened around 1:30 a.m. on June 17, 2022, in the 6600 block of Parker Road, located in unincorporated north St. Louis County.

Eighteen-year-old Damario Cooks and his cousin, 16-year-old Travell Eason, lived at the home and died in the explosions. Their friends, 21-year-old William Jones and 17-year-old Christopher Jones, were also killed. Another minor was injured.

Seneca Mahan was one of three people arrested and charged in connection with the explosion. Investigators determined Mahan and a co-defendant, Terrell Cooks, had directed the victims to manufacture explosive materials from fireworks and alleged that led to a fire and an explosion.


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Mahan pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk of serious injury or death, and unlawful manufacturing of an illegal weapon.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommended the court impose a punishment of 30 years in prison. Mahan will be sentenced on Feb. 28.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Mahan apologized to members of the victims’ families, acknowledged their deaths were his fault, and asked for their forgiveness. After the hearing, Mahan approached the families of the victims, and they shared an embrace in the courtroom.

Cooks is scheduled to go to trial on March 24. A third co-defendant, Marquita Guest, will stand trial on Feb. 24.