ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Police said the man suspected of shooting and killing a woman during an argument in north St. Louis County Wednesday morning had intended to shoot her boyfriend instead.
The St. Louis County Police Department said Wednesday afternoon that 19-year-old Javion Smith of St. Louis has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
The victim was identified as 20-year-old Johanna Kimple.
According to a probable cause statement, Kimple and her boyfriend got into a physical argument in a home on Dennis Drive and Kimple called her brother and asked him to come to the home. Her brother came, along with Smith, and they brought an AR-15 rifle.
Near the end of the argument, Smith fired the rifle at Kimple's boyfriend, the probable cause statement said, but the bullet struck Kimple, who was standing in front of her boyfriend.
The bullet went through Kimple and grazed her boyfriend's thigh.
Officers responded to the 9800 block of Dennis Drive shortly at about 7:30 a.m. for the report of a shooting. Kimple was rushed to a nearby hospital where she died.
5 On Your Side spoke to a family friend who said Kimple had a 5-month-old daughter.
The view from Sky5 showed several evidence markers in the front lawn of a house in a residential area. Crime scene tape roped off two houses on the block while several police cars lined the street and were parked on the road. The entire block was closed to traffic.
Smith is being held on $500,000 bond.
Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak to investigators regarding the incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371TIPS(8477) if you have any information regarding the incident.
Latest local headlines:
- School bus involved in crash in north St. Louis County
- St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station opens on Christmas Day
- Alzheimer's Association hosts class to help families manage holidays
- 2 St. Louis burger joints among the best in the country
- 'She got the special surprise from my daughter' | Family pranks porch pirate with dirty diapers
