Fifteen-year-old Dalton Escobar-Piatcheck died after a shooting inside a home on Missouri Avenue in the South City area of Saint Louis on January 25, 2024. Dalton was found with a gunshot wound to the head and was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. Family described him as an energetic, good kid who was working to overcome past trauma.

Initial police reports say witnesses inside the residence—a 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy—told investigators the shooting was accidental, claiming Dalton was trying to load a firearm when it discharged. The 14-year-old remained to speak with police; the 17-year-old reportedly fled before officers arrived, leaving behind his phone and identification. Law enforcement initially classified the death as accidental and no arrests or murder charges had been announced in the immediate aftermath.

Dalton’s grandparents disagreed with that preliminary finding, saying he was shot in the back of the head and noting he was recovering from a broken right elbow that they said would have made loading a gun unlikely. They retained counsel and asked for a more thorough review; the family said they received little communication from investigators. Does anyone have information about the incident or about Dalton’s last known movements inside the home?