ST. LOUIS, MO (July 17, 2024) — A jury found Jonathon Jones, 19, and Mark Perry, 38, guilty of fatally shooting 29-year-old Brandon Scott shortly before midnight on September 6, 2021, following a traffic dispute in downtown St. Louis.

Scott was shot multiple times while seated inside his Dodge Charger at a red light at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Second Street. Video surveillance of the shooting showed a white Chevrolet Suburban, driven by a woman associated with Perry and Jones, pulled up next to Scott’s vehicle shortly before two arms extended from the Suburban and fired what ballistic testing later confirmed were 14 shots from two different 9 mm firearms. After being shot multiple times, Scott’s vehicle accelerated forward and crashed on a flight of stairs on the Arch grounds.

The jury found both men guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action. It recommended that Jones serve 15 years in prison for the murder and seven years and six months for armed criminal action. By law, the sentences must run consecutively. Formal sentencing for Jones will be September 20. Perry will be sentenced by the Court on a future date. As a prior and persistent offender, he could face a higher range of punishment.  

Jones also faces charges in the shooting death of 19-year-old JaDun Byrd on March 2, 2022, in The Ville neighborhood following Jones’ escape from the City’s Juvenile Detention Center in November 2021. Jones has been charged with first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action in that case and was certified to stand trial as an adult.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Circuit Attorney Terrence O’Toole, Jr., a partner at the law firm of Dowd Bennett LLP, and Assistant Circuit Attorneys Andrew Russek and Boyan Mihaylov.

“This was a challenging case involving two extremely dangerous defendants who preyed on an individual who happened to cross their path,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “We are grateful for the skillful assistance of Special Assistant Circuit Attorney O’Toole in obtaining a guilty verdict that will make our streets safer for everyone.”

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