ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Two men are in custody for plotting to rob a drug dealer and later shooting said dealer.

According to the Florissant Police Department’s probable cause statement, the shooting happened on July 19, 2024, in the 1000 block of Lees Lane.

Police said Elijah Mooreland and Emmanuel Pearson with a juvenile and discussed robbing the dealer. Pearson texted the intended victim and arranged to purchase marijuana on Lees Lane.

The victim drove to Lees Lane and stayed in his vehicle while Mooreland, Pearson, and the juvenile walked up to make the purchase. The three were wearing masks at the time.

Police said the victim recognized the juvenile when the youngster lowered his mask.

The suspects asked the victim to drive them to the store, but the victim declined, according to police. Mooreland then took out a pistol and shot the victim.

The victim sped off while being shot at. He went to a nearby friend’s house and contacted the police.

The victim was taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds to his back, arm, and face.

Police recovered several bullet casings in the 1000 block of Lees Lane, spoke with witnesses, and obtained surveillance tape from around the time of the shooting.

Police were able to identify Pearson and Mooreland, and determined they lived together on Central Parkway, just outside Florissant city limits.

On July 24, police went to the residence and arrested Pearson after a brief foot chase. Mooreland was in the basement of the home. After obtaining a search warrant, police said they found a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol in their mother’s locked bedroom.

Police said the casings found at the crime scene match the pistol.

Pearson and Mooreland were eventually served with warrants on March 4, 2025.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged both Pearson and Mooreland with first-degree assault, attempted first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, and three counts of armed criminal action. Pearson received an additional charge of resisting arrest. Both men remain jailed on $150,000 cash-only bonds.

Pearson is due in court on March 12 for a bond reduction hearing, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 2.

Mooreland’s bond reduction hearing is set for March 11 and his preliminary hearing is on April 10.