ST. LOUIS, MO  (April 23, 2026) — A St. Louis jury found Azavian Royal, 21, guilty on Thursday of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree assault, and four counts of armed criminal action for his role in a 2023 fatal shooting in the city’s Gravois Park neighborhood.

At approximately 3:20 a.m. on October 8, 2023, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a reported shooting at an Airbnb in the 3500 block of South Compton Avenue. Officers found three male juveniles with injuries. A 17-year-old who suffered gunshot wounds to the head and neck was pronounced deceased at the scene. A 16-year-old sustained a gunshot graze wound to the buttocks. Another 17-year-old sustained a laceration to the left side of his face after he was struck with a handgun.

The victims were attending a high school homecoming after-party at the time of the shooting. Witnesses told police that, after arriving at the party and waiting for some time, Royal and three co-defendants suddenly brandished firearms and announced a robbery. During the course of the robbery, Royal pointed a gun at the 17-year-old victim and struck him with it before taking a backpack from him. After seizing the backpack, Royal and the co-defendants opened fire on the victims, who were unarmed and not resisting the robbery.

Witnesses identified Royal through photographic lineups. Ten days after the shooting, Royal was arrested by Saint Ann and Bridgeton police officers after a foot pursuit. Police later located a firearm discarded during the pursuit and linked it to ballistic evidence from the shooting.

“This case shows how quickly gun violence can turn a gathering into a tragedy,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “Our office will continue to hold accountable those who bring guns into our communities and endanger lives.”

Sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2026.

Violent Crime Unit Supervisor Adam Field, Assistant Circuit Attorney Kate Cogan, and Assistant Circuit Attorney Isabella Zoog prosecuted the case.

Co-defendant Orlando Bernard, 20, pleaded guilty on April 17, 2026, to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 19 years in prison. Bernard’s case number is 2422-CR01283.

The defendant’s case number is 2322-CR02503-01.