On the afternoon of October 2, 2018, police in St. Louis were called to the Benton Park neighborhood after reports of gunfire. Officers arrived on the 1900 block of Congress Street shortly before 6:00 p.m. and found 38-year-old Richard MacDonald lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

MacDonald lived in the area and was known in the local arts and graffiti community, where he worked under the names OBCES or Obses. Friends and family described him as generous, and the neighborhood held a memorial service and created tributes in the days after his death. Homicide detectives canvassed for witnesses and evidence, but early information did not disclose a motive or identified assailants.

Anyone who knew Richard, his activities in Benton Park, or who may have seen anything on October 2 that could help investigators is asked to come forward.