Northwoods homicide in October 2017, charges issued

CLAYTON, Mo. – On October 6, 2017, at approximately 11:00 pm, Northwoods Police Department requested the assistance of the St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons in regards to a homicide that occurred in a residence located in the 6900 block of Forest Hill Drive.

According to the report, officers from the St. Louis County Police Department Central County Precinct responded to the call in assisting with scene management.

While at the scene, officers located a deceased victim, 54-year-old male, who was located inside the residence and appeared to be suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

On October 7, 2017, the victim was identified as Stanley Taylor, 54-years-old, of the 6900 block of Forest Hill Drive.

The investigation remained to be very active.

On October 19, 2017, detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons requested the public’s assistance in locating the person of interest related to the homicide.

Donte Sproling (ST. LOUIS COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT)
The person of interested was identified as Donte Sproling, 28 years of age, last known to reside in the 600 block of Robert Avenue in Ferguson, Mo. 63135.

Detectives reported that Sproling should be considered armed and dangerous.

On Friday, February 22, 2019, the St. Louis County Police Department released the charges issued on Sproling by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Sproling was charged for one count of Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Armed Criminal Action. The release stated that Sproling was charged on May 17, 2018, but was not apprehended until February 21, 2019. He is being held on a $250,000 cash only bond.

The probable cause statement reads as follows:
Defendant shot and killed victim Stanley Taylor. Defendant fled the scene and left his vehicle at victim’s residence. He was identified by two eyewitnesses.

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