Santonio Newlon

Santonio Latrell Newlon, known affectionately to friends and family as “Big Tone,” was a 19-year-old remembered for his goofy, laid-back, and trustworthy nature. A 2018 graduate of Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis, Missouri, he had played on the school’s varsity football team. Loved ones recalled him as a gentleman who was funny and sweet. His death left a void in the lives of his family, including his mother, grandmother, aunts, and cousins, who continue to post messages of love and remembrance for him years after his passing.

In the cold, early hours of Sunday, December 22, 2019, Santonio’s life was cut short by gun violence in the Kingsway West neighborhood of North St. Louis. The night was a particularly violent one in the city, with four people killed in three separate incidents. At approximately 1:15 a.m., officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to the 5000 block of Davison Avenue after the city’s ShotSpotter system detected gunfire in the area. When they arrived, they found a grim scene.

Police discovered Santonio lying in the street, suffering from a gunshot wound to his head. A second victim, a 28-year-old man, was also found at the scene with a gunshot wound. Emergency services rushed both men to a local hospital for treatment. The second man was listed in critical but stable condition and was expected to survive his injuries. Tragically, Santonio’s wound was fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Division took charge of the investigation. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood, which is characterized by a mix of single-family homes and small apartment buildings, searching for evidence and potential witnesses who might have seen or heard something in the moments leading up to the shooting. Despite the presence of a second victim who survived, details about what precipitated the shooting or who was responsible were not immediately released to the public.

In the days and years that have followed, Santonio's family has mourned him deeply. A funeral service was held for him on January 4, 2020, at the Ronald L. Jones Funeral Chapel. His family continues to mark his birthday and the anniversary of his death, sharing their enduring pain and love on memorial pages. Messages like "Missing you so much Grandson" and "This pain isn't getting any better missing you like crazy" illustrate the profound impact of his loss.

As of late 2023, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the murder of Santonio Newlon. His case is one of many unsolved homicides in St. Louis from that year. The investigation remains open, and police continue to seek information from the public that could lead to a breakthrough. Anyone with information is urged to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Division or to leave an anonymous tip with CrimeStoppers.