 |
| Stephen Rozier Jr. |
(Scroll down for video) A man was arrested and charged with murder related charges after he killed his friend when a fight broke out over beer that spilled inside his car, according to court proceedings in Missouri.
St. Louis Police said that it all began when an argument broke out over spilled beer and ended in the death of a Missouri man, 29, and the imprisonment of his 34-year-old friend.
Held without bail for murder is Stephen Rozier Jr. of St. Louis. The victim has been identified as Rozier's friend, Mario Shackelford.
According to St. Louis police, the two men, along with a third unidentified man, were traveling in a car, drinking alcohol before midnight on Thursday. While traveling near the intersection of Seventh and Market Street, Rozier allegedly spilled his beer inside the vehicle, prompting an argument.
The argument allegedly escalated into a fight, which led to Rozier pulling a gun and firing several shots into the chest of Shackelford. After the shooting, Rozier tried to flee the scene, but was chased by the other individual, who was traveling in the vehicle.
Police said Rozier attempted to shoot his other friend, but the gun malfunctioned. A struggle ensued, and the man was able to subdue Rozier. A witness safeguarded the gun in the trunk of a vehicle until police arrived.
Shackelford was pronounced dead at the scene. Rozier was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for a head injury. The third man, identified only as a 27-year-old, was treated at the scene for minor cuts and abrasions.
Rozier has been charged with second-degree murder, first degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. Rozier has previous drug and weapons convictions.