ST. LOUIS, MO (August 16, 2024) — Ta’Shaun L. Patterson, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of 29-year-old Miguel Johnson at the intersection of Laclede and North Taylor avenues in the city’s Central West End on May 3, 2023.

Peterson originally faced a charge of first-degree murder, but the charge was amended to second-degree murder as part of a plea agreement. He will serve 15 years in prison for Johnson’s murder, plus three years to be served consecutively for armed criminal action.

Patterson and his friend, Syntrell Howard, 22, had gone to an apartment in the 4400 block of Forest Park Parkway where Johnson lived with Howard’s mother. When she and Johnson got into an argument, Howard tried to intervene. Howard and Patterson chased Johnson out of the apartment and onto the street wearing nothing but his underwear. Patterson and Howard ran after Johnson and shot him multiple times in front of several witnesses near the intersection of Laclede and North Taylor avenues at about 3:45 p.m. The two fled but were quickly apprehended by police. Johnson was taken to a nearby hospital where he died from his gunshot wounds less than an hour later.

The case was prosecuted by Violent Crime Unit Supervisor Tanja Engelhardt and Assistant Circuit Attorney Andrew Russek.

“In addition to this senseless killing, the heedless actions of these two young men endangered the lives of city residents simply going about their business on a spring afternoon,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “Public safety will always be our highest priority. Murder on our streets will not be tolerated.”

Howard, who has a prior conviction for first-degree robbery, is facing charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a gun. His trial is set for December 2, 2024.

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