On April 20, 2016, a violent confrontation in the Academy neighborhood of St. Louis ended with the death of 35-year-old Howard Cooper Jr. Police were called after reports of a shooting and found Cooper with a fatal gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say the incident began when Cooper and another unidentified man confronted a resident at the home. The dispute turned physical; Cooper and the other man were accused of punching and pistol-whipping the resident. During the struggle the resident produced a firearm and shot Cooper. Police described the killing as arising from the home invasion or assault, with the shooter acting in self-defense.

Homicide detectives continued the investigation; no immediate details were released about charges against the shooter or the second suspect. If anyone has information about the confrontation or the unidentified man involved, please share what is known.