Devion Falls, 22, was killed on September 8, 2015 after traveling from East St. Louis into St. Louis with a group that included his brother Darereon Falls, Kenneth Berry, and Alexis Wilson. They went to the 6000 block of Suburban Avenue intending to purchase firearms. The meeting turned violent when one of the sellers, identified as 18-year-old Jamel Yates, produced a gun and opened fire as the brothers ran back toward their car. Devion was shot in the head and torso, taken to a hospital, and pronounced dead.

Law enforcement arrested and charged Jamel Yates with multiple counts, including first-degree murder for Devion’s death, first-degree assault on the other three people present, and armed criminal action. At trial the jury acquitted Yates of the murder charge but convicted him of first-degree assault of Darereon Falls and armed criminal action; the record also notes an appeal raising ineffective assistance of counsel related to potential juror misconduct. The circumstances of the arranged meeting for a gun sale remain central to what happened that afternoon.

If anyone knew Devion, was in that neighborhood that day, or has information about the arranged meeting, please share what is known.