Jonathan Rubio Johnny Cruz, a 19-year-old Hispanic/Latino man, was fatally shot in St. Louis on the evening of July 19, 2021. The shooting happened about 7:45 p.m. near Cherokee Street and Minnesota Avenue, where Cruz was sitting in a car outside a barbershop when gunfire erupted. Officers found him unconscious with a gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead shortly after.

The slaying was recorded as the city’s 103rd homicide that year. Homicide detectives focused their investigation on the area around the barbershop and later identified an 18-year-old suspect, Neptali Mejia, who was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. Authorities indicated the shooting may have been retaliation for a previous homicide.

If anyone knew Jonathan, saw activity near Cherokee and Minnesota on July 19, 2021, or has information about the case, please share what is known.