Texas couple charged in shooting death of Missouri student
A Texas couple faces murder and related charges following a freeway shooting in Missouri last week that killed a 17-year-old high school student driving to a Halloween zoo celebration, authorities announced Monday.
Charges Filed in Missouri Following Interstate 170 Shooting
Willie Herndon, 42, of Arlington, Texas, was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, nbcnews.com reported. His wife, Taiya Herndon, faces a charge of hindering prosecution for allegedly driving her husband to an Illinois hotel 12 miles from St. Louis, prosecuting attorney Melissa Price Smith stated at a Monday news conference.
The attack took place around 7 p.m. Wednesday as 17-year-old Alyssa Wilson drove south on Interstate 170 in Overland, Missouri, just northwest of St. Louis. Jack Abell, chief deputy commander of the region’s Major Case Squad, said the victim was on her way to “Boo at the Zoo,” a Halloween event at the St. Louis Zoo.
Security video reviewed by investigators captured Alyssa’s red Buick Encore traveling south and passing a white Buick Enclave parked on the shoulder. A single round was heard after a person exited the white vehicle, stood outside briefly, and fired, according to Abell. The shooter re-entered the vehicle, turned off its hazard lights, and drove away.
The bullet penetrated the rear of Alyssa’s vehicle, striking her. First responders transported her to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where she was pronounced dead.
Police Arrest Couple in Illinois After Tracking Vehicle
Investigators tracked the out-of-state registered white Buick using security footage and automated license plate readers. Surveillance teams monitored the vehicle for hours before observing the couple exit a hotel in Caseyville, Illinois, where law enforcement took them into custody Friday.
A judge-approved search in Illinois yielded a firearm and supporting evidence, while authorities analyzed a shell casing recovered alongside the Overland freeway. During questioning, Willie Herndon provided details regarding his involvement and shared information about possible ongoing investigations in other areas, according to Abell. Officials stated the Herndons had no prior connection to the victim.
Price Smith announced the filing of Missouri charges on Friday. Bail was set at $1 million for Willie Herndon and $500,000 for Taiya Herndon, with both amounts required to be posted in full. Taiya Herndon was booked Saturday into the St. Clair County Jail in Illinois on an out-of-state warrant with no bail, while jail records for Willie Herndon were unavailable as authorities awaited extradition proceedings.
The investigation involved cooperation from the FBI, the ATF, and approximately 20 Major Case Squad investigators. Dave Herr, assistant special agent in charge for FBI St. Louis, noted at the news conference that the case was solved within 36 hours through collaborative law enforcement efforts.
Authorities have not yet discussed a potential motive, citing active investigations into potentially related cases. The state public defender’s office for the area did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding legal representation for the defendants.
Alyssa’s father, Robert Hickman, spoke at Monday’s news conference about his daughter, who was 60 days shy of turning 18. He shared that the family was preparing for their first vacation together to Disney to see her favorite character, Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog.
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