ST. LOUIS, MO  (July 16, 2026) — Azavian Royal, 21, was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. In April, a St. Louis jury found him guilty 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 sustained gunshot wounds to the head and neck died at the scene. A 16-year-old suffered a graze wound to the buttocks. Another 17-year-old suffered a laceration to the left side of his face after Royal struck him with a handgun.

The victims were attending a high school homecoming after-party when the shooting occurred. Witnesses told police that, after waiting at the party for some time, Royal and three co-defendants brandished firearms and announced a robbery. Royal pointed a gun at the 17-year-old victim, struck him with it, and stole his backpack. Royal and the co-defendants then opened fire on the unarmed victims, who were 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.

"High school students should be able to gather with friends and celebrate life's milestones without becoming victims of violent crime. Our office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting those who choose violence and to doing everything we can to make St. Louis a safer place for families,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore.

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 Royal’s case number is 2322-CR02503-01.