Jamir Alexander Obituary, Death – Two men have been charged in connection with the death of their associate during a failed armed robbery of a drug dealer earlier this week in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson Police Department reported that the fatal shooting took place on October 7, although the exact time and location were not provided in the initial statements.
The incident involved Vernon Williams, Joshua Haegele, and two other individuals—a young woman and a man named Ta’Von Williams. According to the police, the group set out to rob Ta’Von’s cousin under the guise of purchasing marijuana. The foursome drove to the cousin’s residence, where they waited in their parked car for him to come outside. When the cousin eventually stepped out to meet them, Ta’Von Williams pulled a gun on him and said, “You know what time it is. Give it up,” signaling the start of the robbery attempt.
As this happened, Vernon Williams and Haegele got out of the car and approached another person who was in the cousin’s garage. The two men also held this witness at gunpoint while Ta’Von forced his cousin toward the garage. What was initially an attempted robbery quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation. At some point, a struggle broke out between Ta’Von and his cousin as they fought over the gun Ta’Von was wielding.
During the scuffle, the cousin managed to retrieve his own firearm and shot Ta’Von in the head, killing him on the spot. After the fatal shooting, the cousin fled the scene, seeking help from a neighbor. Meanwhile, Vernon Williams and Haegele fired several more shots before fleeing the area. Authorities later revealed that the entire incident was captured on a nearby Ring surveillance camera, providing crucial evidence of the events that unfolded.
Following the shooting, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged both Vernon Williams and Joshua Haegele with second-degree murder, first-degree attempted robbery, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Although neither of the men directly shot Ta’Von Williams, Missouri’s legal framework holds accomplices in violent crimes responsible for any resulting deaths, even if it is one of their own who dies during the commission of the crime.
Vernon Williams and Haegele are currently in custody, each held on a $1 million cash-only bond. They are scheduled to appear in court for a bond reduction hearing on October 16, followed by a preliminary hearing on November 7. The cousin, who shot Ta’Von in self-defense, has not been charged, as police have not found grounds to charge him in connection with the death.
It was later reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Haegele had only recently been released from prison on September 30, just days before the robbery attempt. He had been serving time for a 2019 involuntary manslaughter case from when he was a teenager. Haegele was on parole at the time of the robbery. Vernon Williams was also on parole during the incident, having previously been convicted of assault and unlawful use of a weapon. These details about the men’s criminal histories have only heightened the severity of the case, as both were under supervision when the deadly robbery occurred.
The case has drawn attention due to the involvement of multiple individuals with criminal pasts and the way in which the robbery unraveled. The legal principle that allows for accomplices to be charged with murder when someone dies during the commission of a felony—known as felony murder—has come into play here. In Missouri, if someone dies as a result of a felony, even if the death was unintended or the deceased was part of the criminal group, those involved in the crime can face murder charges.
The fact that the cousin has not been charged suggests that the police and prosecutors believe he acted in self-defense when he shot Ta’Von Williams. Self-defense laws generally permit individuals to use deadly force if they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger of being killed or seriously harmed. Given the circumstances, it appears the cousin’s actions were deemed legally justified, although this determination could be subject to further legal scrutiny as the case progresses.
In the aftermath of the incident, the community and legal observers are left grappling with the complex dynamics of the case. It serves as a tragic reminder of how quickly a crime can turn deadly, especially when firearms are involved. The situation also underscores the risks taken by individuals involved in criminal activities, as the consequences can be fatal even for those perpetrating the crime.
As Vernon Williams and Joshua Haegele await their upcoming court hearings, the legal process will continue to unfold, with both men facing the possibility of lengthy prison sentences if convicted. Their criminal histories and the circumstances of this case suggest that they could be facing significant legal repercussions. Meanwhile, Ta’Von Williams’ death adds another layer of tragedy to the story, with his life lost in the course of a failed and violent robbery attempt.