ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Charges were issued Tuesday against two men after a marijuana cartridge sale ended in a triple shooting that killed two people, including a 15-year-old.
Tyler Coleman, 19, and Zachary Hough, 18, were both charged with two counts each of second-degree murder and armed criminal action and one count each of delivery of 35 grams or less of marijuana.
Jessica Pupillo with Mehlville School District confirmed both Coleman and Hough are both seniors at Oakville High School.
Charges have not been announced against a third person who was arrested in connection with the shooting.
Officers responded Monday at about 1:15 p.m. to the shooting in the 5600 block of Chalet Hill Drive.
A St. Louis County police commander confirmed at the scene that Collin Courtwright, 15, was found dead in the parking lot of Black Forest Apartments and a second victim, 16-year-old Tyree Williams, died on the way to the hospital.
A third person was taken to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. Police did not provide an update on his condition.
According to a probable cause statement, Coleman and Hough met with the victims to sell a marijuana cartridge. One of the victims got into their car and asked to see the cartridge. During the drug deal, Courtwright and the other teenager were fatally shot.
Coleman and Hough were both being held on $500,000 bond.
A stunned Clarissa Starns said around noon Monday she talked to her baby brother on the phone.
“Everything was fine and then we got a phone call a couple of hours later saying he was gone. I couldn’t believe it. It was startling and tremendously heartbreaking,” said Starns.
Starns told 5 On Your Side her brother did not live at the apartment complex; however, she said his friends stayed there.
“Collin was a great person. He had a great spirits. He was probably just with the wrong crowd. We rushed to the scene because we just couldn’t get any information,” said Starns.
“The shooting was in the back parking lot so it wasn’t visible to residents,” said Capt. James Schneider with the St. Louis County Police Department.
“It was just quick you know. Bang! Bang!” said neighbor Mary Mistretta.
Carson Pedroli was doing electrical work inside one of the apartment buildings when he heard all the commotion.
“I saw another lady walking around, seeing what was going on. She starts freaking out and I looked out the other window and that’s when I saw the guy laying out there on the ground. I didn’t see the car, but I heard it. It sped off pretty fast," said Pedroli.
“I hope and pray they do find them,” said Starns.
Relatives said Collin was the youngest of five.
Two groups and two cars were involved, and suspects were still being sought Monday afternoon.
"There was a vehicle that left the scene," Capt. James Schneider, commander of the South County Precinct, said. "We're not sure and I don't want to put that out there because we're not exactly sure of the color."
The shooting did not appear to be random, police said.
Parts of Chalet Hill Drive at Baumgartner Road were blocked off amid the investigation. Authorities encouraged drivers to avoid the area, a St. Louis County Police Department spokesperson said.
The Mehlville School District learned about police activity shortly before 2 p.m. Monday. Several nearby schools enacted the district's "SECURE" protocol and had dismissals delayed, including Oakville High School, Oakville Middle School, Wohlwend Elementary School and Oakville Elementary School. All school doors were locked and no one could leave or enter the buildings.
All students and staff were safe and classes and meetings were continuing uninterrupted, the district said in an email to parents.
The protocol was lifted about an hour later.
Police asked anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS(8477).
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.