Justice Devaun Johnson, a former Festus High School student and football player, was the victim of a fatal shooting Jan. 14 at the McDonald’s restaurant parking lot, 8960 Page Ave., in Overland.
After two years at Festus High, Johnson transferred to Kirkwood High School, and two of his former Kirkwood football teammates have been linked to his shooting, according to the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis and other published reports.
At about 7:15 p.m., the Overland Police Department responded to a call for shots fired and a person down. When officers arrived, they found Johnson, who was the victim of an apparent gunshot wound, the Major Case Squad reported in a written statement.
Johnson, 18, was taken to Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur, where he was pronounced dead.
The written statement said Johnson was from Herculaneum, but Major Case Squad spokesman Detective Joey Nickles said the victim had lived in more than one location recently, including in St. Charles.
As of Tuesday (Jan. 22), no motive had been released and the investigation was ongoing, Nickles said.
Court records show Joseph R. Jordan III, 19, of Kirkwood was charged Jan. 17 with tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, a class E felony.
Video surveillance indicated the shooter was in a silver Jeep Commander, and police determined the Jeep belongs to Jordan, the probable-cause statement said.
In addition, a witness reported seeing Jordan cleaning the inside and outside of the Jeep after the homicide, the report said.
“The actions of the defendant potentially destroyed evidence that could have been gathered during the investigation,” according to the report.
Jordan also allegedly attempted to conceal the Jeep by driving it to the city of St. Louis and parking it in an alley behind his father’s house, where police found it, the report said.
In addition, the Major Case Squad is seeking Tabyus Mace, 18, of Kirkwood as “a person of interest” in the investigation,” according to a Jan. 18 written statement.
Johnson, who played football for Festus during his first two years of high school, started at quarterback as a sophomore for the Tigers in 2016. He transferred to Kirkwood High School his junior year and was on the Pioneers’ football team in 2017.
“He had one of those charismatic smiles,” said Russ Schmidt, the Festus football coach. “He was a very athletic quarterback. It’s been a very somber day at the high school. He still has a lot of friends here.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Major Case Squad Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).