Shortly after midnight on February 9, 2023, officers responded to reports of shots fired near Ashbrook Drive and Golden Drive in Bellefontaine Neighbors, St. Louis County. Inside a parked vehicle at the scene they found 20-year-old Ian Hayes of Florissant suffering an apparent gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bellefontaine Neighbors Police secured the area and asked the St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons Bureau to lead the homicide probe. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood and processed the scene for evidence. Early in the investigation police reported no clear motive and said they had no information identifying suspects.

Anyone with information about Hayes, his movements that night, or who may have been in the area is asked to contact St. Louis County investigators or submit an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers.