Teen Sentenced to 28 Years for Fatal Carjacking In Mount Pleasant Neighborhood
May 12, 2025

 ST. LOUIS, MO (May, 12, 2025) — A 16-year-old male, who was certified as an adult by the courts, was sentenced to 28 years in prison on Monday for his role in a fatal carjacking that occurred on January 24, 2023, in the city’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood.


Deshaun Harris pleaded guilty on Monday to second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and attempted robbery. Judge Timothy Boyer imposed a 23-year sentence for the murder charge, a consecutive five-year term for armed criminal action, and a concurrent 15-year term for attempted robbery.


The charges stem from the shooting death of 38-year-old Kay Johnson, who was killed outside her garage in the 4700 block of South Compton Avenue. Johnson’s 14-year-old daughter was present at the time of the incident. Harris and other juveniles approached Johnson while she was in her vehicle. Harris fired a single shot when Johnson did not comply with demands, resulting in her death.


A second juvenile, who was certified as an adult by the courts, Brian Wellington, 15, was previously sentenced to 20 years in connection with the same crime after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.


The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Circuit Attorneys Ashley Walker and Paul D’Agrosa, both of whom are Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Office of U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming.


“A mother was murdered in front of her child, and there is nothing that can undo that,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “This sentence, however, sends a clear message: gun violence in our communities will be met with serious consequences.”



Harris’s case number is 2422-CR01553. Wellington’s case number is 2422-CR01096-01.


      ###

For Immediate Release

For more information contact:

Amber Raub

Public Information Officer

St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office

rauba@stlouiscao.org

314-589-6233 (office)

314-312-9912 (cell)

More News

Circuit Attorney, City of St. Louis seal: two bears flanking a shield with a moon, star, eagle.
September 30, 2025
St. Louis man Keon Martez Cannady, 22, was sentenced to 25 years for killing Shawn Kennedy on Christmas Eve after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
Circuit Attorney Seal, City of St. Louis, State of Missouri. Features state seal with text
September 26, 2025
A judge sentenced James Blake, 24, on Friday to 21 years in Prison for murdering 14-year-old Kathon Moore in broad daylight in the City’s West End neighborhood.
Seal of the Circuit Attorney, City of St. Louis, State of Missouri; features bears and the state's motto.
September 26, 2025
A judge sentenced repeat sex offender Andre Elgin, 56, to life without parole plus 52 years on Friday for sexually abusing a child in South St. Louis.