Deandre V. Easley Jr., a man remembered by friends as chill, loving, and funny, was a devoted father of four who was cherished by a large and loving family. The 33-year-old Black man, who attended Whiteside Elementary and Belleville East High School, was known to his loved ones as D'Andre. He left behind a daughter, Emoni Ricks, and three sons, Emontre' Ricks, Shamar Boykin, and Ace Easley. His family included his father, D'Andre Easley Sr., his mother and stepfather, Cheryl and Gregory Canady, six sisters, and his beloved grandparents. His life, filled with family and connection, was tragically cut short just five days before Christmas.
On the night of Sunday, December 20, 2020, a burst of gunfire echoed through downtown St. Louis, Missouri. At approximately 9:25 p.m., officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 400 block of Washington Avenue, a typically busy area of the city.
There, they discovered Deandre Easley inside a vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the immediate response from emergency personnel, his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The violence that night also wounded a second person. A 20-year-old woman was found nearby, also suffering from gunshot wounds. She was conscious and breathing when first responders arrived and was quickly transported to a local hospital. Her condition was later reported as stable. The downtown area was active with police that evening, as another call came in around the same time for shots fired into a building near Fourth Street and Washington Avenue. Investigators, however, did not immediately confirm if the two incidents were related.
The investigation into Deandre’s murder was taken over by the department’s Homicide Division. Detectives canvassed the area for evidence and witnesses, working to understand the sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting. In the immediate aftermath, police did not release any information about a potential motive or identify any persons of interest. The initial reports painted a picture of a sudden and violent event, leaving a family to grapple with a devastating loss during the holiday season.
In the weeks that followed, Deandre's family prepared to say their final goodbyes. A visitation was held on Friday, January 15, 2021, followed by a service the next day at the Greater New Covenant Church of God in Christ in East St. Louis, Illinois. He was laid to rest at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Belleville, Illinois. The services were a testament to the many lives he had touched, as a large circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends gathered to mourn and remember him.
As of the latest available information from December 2020, the investigation into the homicide of Deandre Easley remains ongoing. No arrests have been announced, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The case is one of many that leave families searching for answers and justice. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department continues to ask for the public’s help in solving this crime.
Authorities urge anyone with information that could lead to an arrest to come forward. Tips can be directed to the Homicide Division at 314-444-5371 or to CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous, and a reward may be available for information that helps close the case and bring peace to Deandre Easley's grieving family and community.
