Michael Ontiveros

Michael Adrian Ontiveros, a man known to friends and family as “Big Mike,” was a beloved son, brother, and uncle with a reputation for kindness and a knack for helping others. The 31-year-old St. Louis native was remembered for his gentle and caring soul and for the time he devoted to his family, especially his niece and nephew. Michael was a skilled handyman who spent his time assisting people with various jobs. He had recently achieved a personal and professional milestone, earning his building inspector's license, a testament to his hard work and ambition. His life, full of promise, was cut short in a sudden act of violence.

On the evening of Friday, July 7, 2017, Michael was in a vehicle in downtown St. Louis, not far from the historic Union Station. At approximately 8:20 p.m., as the car he was in traveled near the intersection of 18th and Spruce streets, another vehicle pulled alongside and someone inside opened fire. The hail of bullets struck Michael and another man who was with him. The shooting was a classic drive-by, swift and without warning, leaving chaos in its wake on the city street.

Emergency services were dispatched to the scene immediately. When officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department arrived, they found two victims. Michael had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, a 30-year-old man, was critically wounded. He was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment. The downtown neighborhood, a major hub for transportation and entertainment, became the backdrop for a grim homicide investigation.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Division took charge of the case. Detectives canvassed the area for evidence and potential witnesses, working to piece together the sequence of events that led to the shooting. The initial challenge for investigators was the lack of a clear motive or any immediate suspects. The suspect vehicle was described only as a dark-colored sedan that fled the scene immediately after the gunfire. Without more information, the trail quickly grew cold.

In the days following the tragedy, Michael's family was left to grapple with their sudden and profound loss. An online fundraiser was started by a friend, Liberty Vollmer, to help his parents, Rich and Deann Ontiveros, cover unexpected funeral expenses. In his obituary, Michael was remembered as a dear brother to Cinnamon, Cristopher, Richard, and Mark, and a loving grandson. Friends shared memories of his kindness, with one writing, "You were the most kind, gentle & caring soul... You will forever & always be my Adrian, my best friend, my love & as we promised my stars."

Years have passed since Michael Ontiveros was killed, and his case remains unsolved. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has not publicly announced any arrests or named any persons of interest in connection with the shooting. The identity of the person or people inside the dark sedan that night, and the reason for the attack, remain unknown. As of late 2026, the investigation is still open but inactive pending new information. Michael's family and friends are still waiting for justice and for answers that might explain why his life was taken so violently and senselessly.