ST. LOUIS, MO  ST. LOUIS, MO (June 16, 2025) —  George Gholston, 33, pleaded guilty Monday, June 16, 2025, on the eve of trial, to second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm for the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Nicholas Taylor on October 26, 2022, near the 100 block of the downtown St. Louis riverfront. He was sentenced to 20 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Taylor and Gholston, who knew each other, arrived together at the riverfront in the same vehicle. After a brief confrontation involving Gholston, Taylor, and others, Gholston shot Taylor in the back of the head with an AR-style pistol as Taylor walked away. Surveillance footage shows Gholston’s vehicle leaving the scene immediately after the shooting.

A cooperative eyewitness identified Gholston by sight and by the street name “Terminator.” The eyewitness’s statement was consistent with prior police interviews and corroborated by phone records placing Gholston at the scene and tracking his movements afterward.

“George Gholston took a life in a brutal and senseless manner,” said St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “We thank the witness who bravely came forward to help us achieve justice despite the potential risk.”

Gholston, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing a firearm. His criminal history includes convictions for second-degree assault, robbery, burglary, and a federal firearms offense.



Chief of Homicide Tanja Engelhardt and Assistant Circuit Attorney Aradhana Polley prosecuted the case.

Gholston’s case number is 2222-CR01609-01.