ST. LOUIS, MO (August 1, 2025) — A deadly 2022 triple shooting that left two men dead and a teenage boy wounded reached its conclusion Friday. Eric Wooten, 28, pled guilty to two counts of Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Assault in the First Degree. Wooten entered his pleas in St. Louis Circuit Court.

On the night of February 13, 2022, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Wooten was riding in a vehicle with Kevin Payne, 19, Florentino Pegues, 34, and a 16-year-old male after the group had spent the day filming a music video. Wooten pulled out a 9mm firearm and shot all three victims inside the car near North Broadway and East Taylor Avenue in the City’s North Riverfront neighborhood.

Kevin Payne was found by police lying in the street with two gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Florentino Pegues and the 16-year-old were rushed to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where they initially survived. Pegues later died on August 7, 2022, from complications caused by the shooting.

Witnesses told police they saw Wooten exit the passenger seat holding a gun and run from the scene. Officers from Mobile Reserve, responding to the area, spotted Wooten running across I-70 and arrested him.

“This brutal act of gun violence tragically ended the lives of two young men. This act of violence caused immense pain and grief for the victims' loved ones and impacted the entire community. We will relentlessly prosecute those who choose to engage in senseless gun violence to the fullest extent of the law,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore.

Wooten’s sentencing is scheduled for October 10, 2025.

Special Assistant Circuit Attorney Terrance O'Toole Jr. and Assistant Circuit Attorneys Andrew Costello and Rebecca Hirsch prosecuted the case.

The defendant’s case number is 2222-CR00178-01.