ST. LOUIS, MO (September 13, 2024) — Timothy Stokes, 56, pleaded guilty to fatally shooting 65-year-old Brian Culton on June 30, 2019, after robbing him of $100 at about 2:00 a.m. in his home in the 200 block of Upton Street in the city’s Patch neighborhood. Three hours later, Stokes also shot and killed Michelle Williams, 24, after the two got into an argument on State Street in East St. Louis.

While Illinois State Police were investigating Williams’ death on the day of the shootings, they encountered Stokes walking down Interstate 255 near Interstate 64. When troopers approached him, Stokes shot at them and hit their vehicle, then ran into nearby woods. He was later found in a vacant building in East St. Louis and was arrested. Stokes later admitted killing both Culton and Williams.

Stokes was convicted of killing Williams in 2023 and was sentenced to life without parole in the Illinois Department of Corrections, plus 20 years for shooting at law enforcement officers. He will serve a concurrent life sentence for Culton’s murder in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Circuit Attorneys Grant Simon and Christopher Faerber.

“There is no defense for these two cold-hearted killings by a dangerous felon,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “We are grateful to the Illinois State Police and the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, who investigated this case and worked closely with our office during this prosecution.”

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