Accident – death – Obituary News :

Two Deadly Shootings Rock Moline Acres Community

MOLINE ACRES, Mo. (First Alert 4) – The tranquil community of Moline Acres in North St. Louis County is grappling with the shock of two fatal shootings that occurred within the first two days of the new year.

First Shooting Incident: A Startling Discovery

On Monday morning, at approximately 6:30 a.m., law enforcement responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of Edgefield Drive and Hollis Drive. Tragically, within the car, they discovered the lifeless body of Stacy Durham, a 55-year-old resident of St. Louis, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention, Durham was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lula Duke, a long-time resident of Moline Acres for over four decades, expressed her disbelief at the incident, describing her neighborhood as typically peaceful. She questioned, “How and why do such horrific events even occur?” Duke, who resides just a few houses away from the crime scene, emphasized her outrage, stating, “I think it’s absolutely outrageous, and incidents like this should never happen.”

Second Shooting: A Double Tragedy Strikes

Only a day later, on Tuesday evening, another life was tragically cut short at a Moline Acres gas station. The incident occurred at the Conoco located on the 2400 block of Chambers Road. St. Louis County Police responded to a shooting incident just before 6:45 p.m. The victim, identified as 28-year-old Daijion Miller, had been shot at another location before driving himself to the gas station. Despite immediate medical assistance, Miller succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Miller’s significant other, who preferred not to be interviewed, revealed to First Alert 4 that she is pregnant with their son, adding a heartbreaking dimension to this senseless act of violence.

Aaris, a resident who grew up in Moline Acres, expressed her shock at the recent string of events, stating, “I’ve never witnessed anything like this in all my years here.” She acknowledged that the community she once knew has undergone changes, with an unfortunate rise in criminal activities.

Aaris further shared her thoughts on the value of human life, saying, “It’s not that surprising, but I sincerely wish people would appreciate life more and place greater importance on the lives of others. Every individual’s life has a purpose, and people need to learn how to manage their anger and refrain from resorting to violence.”

Community Concerns and Calls for Action

In light of these tragic incidents, Duke expressed her belief that Moline Acres needs additional security measures. She advocated for increased surveillance cameras and street lighting throughout the community. Additionally, Duke urged neighbors to be more vigilant and supportive of one another.

Duke emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “It all begins within our community, and we shouldn’t solely rely on officials and law enforcement. We need to do a better job of raising our children, as they are our future.”

Investigation and Seeking Justice

St. Louis County Police are actively investigating both homicides, although they have not yet released any information regarding suspects in either case. The department has stated that there is currently no indication of a connection between the two incidents.

If you possess any information related to these tragic events, please reach out to the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators. Alternatively, to provide anonymous tips or potentially receive a reward, you can contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).

First Alert 4 attempted to contact Moline Acres to obtain the number of homicides within the city in 2023, but no response has been received thus far.

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