ST. LOUIS — A Columbia, Missouri, man was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison for killing another man outside a Taco Bell in Downtown St. Louis in 2020.
Editorial note: The video above is from May 22, 2020.
The St. Louis Circuit Court announced Wednesday that Jamar D. Burns, 32, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing Darrion Powell, 29, during a drug deal on a Taco Bell parking lot in Downtown St. Louis in 2020. Burns pleaded guilty to a lesser charge ahead of a trial date originally scheduled for next week. He initially faced first-degree murder and three other counts.
On May 21, 2020, officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a reported shooting at the Taco Bell fast food restaurant located in the 500 block of Chouteau Avenue, which is south of Downtown St. Louis. Powell was found dead on the restaurant's parking lot from injuries that were initially undetermined.
According to charging documents, the shooting was caught on surveillance video from the restaurant. The video led authorities to conclude that Burns shot Powell and someone else stole marijuana from Powell during the drug deal.
Powell’s mother, who was not named in a press release from the court, spoke in court Wednesday and said she didn’t think she had to forgive Burns for killing her son.
“He took my son,” she said in court, expressing her grief. “He had no right. He had no reason.”
Burns apologized to Powell’s family for the murder of their loved one.
Burns must first serve the remainder of a four-year prison term for a current federal gun possession conviction. Then, he can begin the 15-year prison term, which he must serve 85% of before he’s eligible for parole.
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
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 the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to de-escalate violent situations within their own communities.