Collin Courtwright

Collin Courtwright, a 15-year-old White male, died on February 5, 2024, during a violent encounter that began as a planned drug deal in south St. Louis County, Missouri. In the days following his death, family and friends gathered for a vigil at the scene, releasing balloons and lighting candles in his memory.

The incident unfolded on a Monday afternoon in the parking lot of the Black Forest Apartments on Chalet Hill Drive. Courtwright, along with 16-year-old Tyree Williams and 18-year-old Bryce Mers, had arranged via Snapchat to buy marijuana cartridges from 19-year-old Tyler Coleman and 18-year-old Zachary Hough. According to a probable cause statement from police, Courtwright entered a vehicle occupied by Coleman, Hough, and a 20-year-old man named Trevor Daley. Investigators alleged that during the transaction, Courtwright produced a firearm, pointed it at Hough, and announced a robbery. In response, Daley allegedly drew his own weapon and fired.

The gunfire fatally wounded both Courtwright and Williams. Courtwright was pronounced dead at the scene, while Williams died after being taken to a hospital. Mers was also wounded in the shooting but survived.

In the following weeks, law enforcement arrested all four men involved in the deadly transaction. Tyler Coleman and Zachary Hough were charged with two counts of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and delivery of a controlled substance. Bryce Mers was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and delivery of marijuana. Trevor Daley, the alleged shooter, was arrested on May 16 and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and delivery of cannabis to a minor.

The cases against all four defendants were resolved through plea deals. According to news reports from April 2024, the men, including Trevor Daley, entered pleas to wrap up the criminal proceedings. Daley was reportedly awaiting sentencing.