Karmel Graham Obituary, Death – St. Louis County police have identified the 16-year-old boy who was fatally shot early Saturday morning as Karmel Graham, a resident of the 4600 block of Enright Avenue in St. Louis. The incident occurred around 2:45 a.m. in the 1100 block of Oran Drive in Bellefontaine Neighbors.
Police have arrested 46-year-old Michael Tolden, who lives on the same block of Oran Drive where the shooting took place. Tolden faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. He is currently being held on a cash-only bond set at $1 million. Authorities stated that Tolden has confessed to the shooting.
According to a juvenile witness, he, Graham, and a third unidentified person were in the area to “check vehicles.” As they were in the process, they noticed Tolden aiming a gun at them. In response, they hurried back to their car. The witness claims that Tolden then fired multiple shots into the vehicle, one of which struck and killed Graham.
The tragic incident has left the community in shock and mourning over the senseless loss of a young life. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and anyone with information is urged to come forward.