Charges issued on suspects in North County homicide

CLAYTON, Mo. – St. Louis County Police Department reported that officers from the North County Precinct responded to the area of Shepley and Hobkirk for a report of a shooting on Saturday, January 26th at approximately 11:40 pm.

Upon their arrival, officers found a male inside a vehicle suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Officers reported the victim, a 26-year-old male, was located in the passenger seat of the vehicle and pronounced him dead on the scene.

Officers announced the identity of the victim, Derion Hamilton of the 10400 block of Gardo, St. Louis, Mo. 63136, on Tuesday.

The driver of the vehicle was on scene and told officers he had been with the victim inside the vehicle in the 100 block of Cameron when the shooting occurred. The driver reported that he had driven away from the area after the shooting.

Detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons, who had been conducting the investigation, shared the information with the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. On Tuesday, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on two suspects, Aaron Walters and William Westbrook.

Walters, 18 years of age of the 10400 block of Durness Drive in St. Louis, Mo. 63137, is charged for one count of Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Robbery in the First Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.

The probable cause statement for Walters reads as follows:
Defendant admitted to setting up a deal to purchase marijuana within a vehicle. During the course of the drug transaction, the defendant unlocked the back passenger door, allowing another suspect to enter the vehicle, who then shot and killed Derion Hamilton. Following the murder, the marijuana was taken from the vehicle.

Westbrook, 18 years of age of the 200 block of Estridge Road in St. Louis, Mo. 63137, is charged for one count of Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Robbery in the First Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action. He is also being held on a $500,000 bond.

The probable cause statement for Westbrook reads as follows:
Defendant Aaron Walters admitted to setting up a deal to purchase marijuana within a vehicle. During the course of the drug transaction, defendant Aaron Walters unlocked the back passenger door, allowing defendant William Westbrook to enter the vehicle, who shot and killed Derion Hamilton. Following the murder, the marijuana was taken from the vehicle.

If anyone has any information regarding the incident, they are advised to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 and speak with investigators. To remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477.

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