ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A St. Louis man was charged with murder after police said he shot and killed a man in St. Ann last week.
James Cody, 30, was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the deadly shooting of 32-year-old Terrance Washington.
St. Ann police responded shortly after midnight Saturday to a fatal shooting on the 10000 block of Douglas Court. Officers found a man on the porch of a residence suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
According to charging documents, Cody drove to Washington's home and used a burner phone to text Washington and tell him to come outside.
Police said when Washington came outside, Cody shot him multiple times.
Police said the burner phone and Cody's personal cell phone were pinging in the same locations, including at Washington's home.
The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated to investigate the shooting. On Tuesday, Cody was charged by the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney's office.
Charging documents said Cody was a convicted felon and was barred from having a weapon.
Cody is being held at the St. Louis County Jail with a bond set at $1 million.
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Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to "stabilize inner-city neighborhoods." One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program.
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with St. Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.
